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COST  OF  LIVING 

AND  THE  WAR 

AN  ANALYSIS  OF  RECENT  CHANGES 

'  by 

W.   JETT   LAUCK 


CLEVBLAHD.    OHIO 

TBS  OOrXB  kWilLIZ  PKI»TINO  COMPAinr 

IMS 


in  2007  with  funding  from 
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COST  OF  LIVING 

AND  THE  WAR 


AN  ANALYSIS  OF  REGENT  CHANGES 

hy 

W.   JETT   LAUGK 


CLEVELAND.    OHIO 

THE  DOYLE  &  WALTZ  PRINTING  COMPANY 

1918 


Z.3 


COPYRIGHT  1918,  by  W.  JETT  LAUCK 
FIRST  EDITION,  JANUARY  1918 


7i£~ 


PREFACE 

This  volume  is  a  summarization  and  analysis  of  official  and  authorita- 
tive data  bearing  upon  the  cost  of  living  with  special  reference  to  the 
families  of  wage-earners.  Part  II  consists  primarily  of  reprints  from 
official  publications  of  retail  and  wholesale  price  data  and  the  results  of 
original  investigations  and  studies  relative  to  the  budgets  of  working- 
men's  families.  Part  I  is  a  brief  analysis  and  interpretation  of  the  data 
contained  in  Part  II.  This  analysis  has  been  made  in  an  impartial  way 
and  with  no  object  in  mind  beyond  the  presentation  in  a  concise  and 
readable  form  of  the  facts  as  to  recent  increases  in  prices  and  family 
living  costs.  The  data  in  Part  II  is  so  arranged  as  to  be  readily  acces- 
sible for  reference  or  for  use  as  a  basis  for  further  study  or  interpretation. 

The  author  wishes  to  make  acknowledgment  to  the  United  States 
Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  for  its  co-operation  in  giving  him  access  to 
its  records  and  data.  He  wishes  also  to  express  his  grateful  appre- 
ciation especially  to  Mr.  Leifur  Magnusson,  of  the  staff  of  the  Bureau 
of  Labor  Statistics,  whose  assistance  in  collecting  and  compiling  data 
has  been  invaluable.     The  graphs  were  drawn  by  Mr.  O.  T.  Feamster. 

I 


778934 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

Part  I.  —  Analyses  and  conclusions  from  authoritative  information  which  is  available : 

Page. 

Chapter  I. — Retail  prices  of  foodstuffs 3 

1.  High  prices  and  dietary  changes 3 

2.  Index  numbers  of  retail  prices,  1910-1917 5 

3.  The  increase  in  the  cost  of  bread 11 

4.  The  advance  in  the  cost  of  fuel  and  light 11 

5.  Retail  food  prices  and  the  purchasing  power  of  the  dollar 13 

6.  Variations  in  food  prices  in  the  leading  cities  of  the  country 17 

Chapter  II. — Wholesale  prices 18 

1.  Wholesale  price  advances,  by  commodities,  1911-1917 19 

2.  Wholesale  prices  since  the  outbreak  of  the  European  War 26 

Chapter  III. — The  value  of  budgetary  studies 29 

1.  Weekly  budgets,  1911-1917 29 

2.  A  minimum  monthly  diet  and  its  cost 30 

3.  Tentative  budget  of  Philadelphia  Bureau  of  Municipal  Research.  31 

4.  Revisions  and  testimony  of  shipbuilders 33 

5.  Annual  budgets  to  cover  a  minimum  of  subsistence  and  comfort..  33 

6.  Scientific  study  of  increased  budgetary  costs 34 

7.  Changes   in  standard  of   living  in  the  District  of   Columbia  as 

affected  by  the  increased  cost  of  living 39 


Part   II. — Official,    documentary   and   other   authoritative    data   relative   to 
prices,  family  budgets,  and  increased  living  costs : 

Chapter  I. — Retail  prices 43 

1.  Scope  of  study  and  method  of  obtaining  prices  by  United  States 

Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics 43 

2.  Index  numbers  of  retail  prices  of  all  articles  of  food,  1907-1917. .  .  44 

3.  Average  and  relative  prices  of  fifteen  articles  of  food,  1912-1917.  .  44 

4.  Change  in  average  prices  and  in  amount  of  various  articles  of  food 

that  could  be  bought  for  one  dollar,  1890-1917 52 

5.  Increased  cost  of  foodstuffs  in  the  United  States  since  the  beginning 

of  the  European  War 54 

6.  Comparative  retail  prices  in  leading  cities  of  the  United  States, 

1913-1917 55 

7.  Retail  prices  of  dry  goods 61 

8.  Relation    between    changes    in    wholesale     and      retail     prices, 

1913-1917 64 

9.  Price  of  bread  in  selected  cities,  1913-1917 67 

10.  The  advance  in  price  of  fuel 68 

11.  Price  of  manufactured  and  natural  gas 68 

12.  Relative  cost  of  food  in  the  principal  American  cities 70 

13.  Retail  prices  in  twenty-four  cities 70 

14.  Report  of  the  Rhode  Island  Commission 71 

III 


CONTENTS 

Part  II.— (Continued) 

Page. 

Chapter  II. — ^Wholesale  prices 75 

1.  Average  and  relative  wholesale  prices  of  twenty- four  commodities  75 

2.  Index  numbers  of  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics.  . .  79 

3.  Index  numbers  of  the  Annalist 83 

4.  Index  numbers  of  Bradstreet's 85 

5.  Index  numbers  of  Dun 88 

6.  Index  numbers  of  Gibson 93 

7.  Canadian  index  numbers  of  wholesale  prices 96 

8.  Wholesale  prices  in  the  United  States,  since  1914 — the  beginning 

of  the  European  War 101 

Chapter  III.— Budgetary  studies 103 

1.  Proportion  of  family  expenditures  for  various  items 103 

2.  Navy  department  ration  for  enlisted  men 105 

3.  Canadian  budget 105 

4.  Cost  of  living  in  the   District  of  Columbia.     Investigation   by 

United  States  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  1916. 

5.  Budget  proposed  by  Seattle  and  Tacoma,  Washington,  street  rail- 

way employees 

6.  Budget  awarded  to  Seattle  and  Tacoma,  Washington,  street  rail- 

way employees 

7.  Higher  food   prices  and   the   proper   nutrition   of  workingmen's 

families 125 

8.  Increased  living  costs,  1916-1917 128 

9.  A  minimum  budgetary  estimate  for  Pacific  Coast  workers 131 

10.  Study  made  on  the  Pacific  Coast  by  the  Labor  Adjustment  Board 

of  the   United   States  Shipping   Board   of  the   United   States 
Emergency  Fleet  Corporation 133 

11.  Budget  of  the  annual  cost  of  living,  1914-1917,  compiled  by  the 

State  Bureau  of  Labor,  Olympia,  Washington 135 

12.  Cost  of  a  minimum  food  supply  for  a  representative  city  family.  .  138 

13.  Report  on  the  increased  cost  of  living  for  an  unskilled  laborer's 

family  in  New  York  City 142 

14.  Digest  of  literature  on  cost  of  living  of  workingmen  in  New  York 

City 159 

15.  Minimum   standards   of   family   income.     (From    Conditions   of 

Labor  in  American  Industries,  Lauck  and  Sydenstricker,  1917) .  169 

16.  Cost  of  bread  among  the  workers 177 

Chapter  IV — Bibliography ^ 179 

IV 


PART  I. 


ANALYSES  AND  CONCLUSIONS 

FROM  AUTHORITATIVE  INFORMATION 

WHICH  IS  AVAILABLE. 


CHAPTER  I 

RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOODSTUFFS. 
1.  High  Prices  and  Dietary  Changes. 

Either  in  the  case  of  the  individual  or  of  the  family  outlays  for  food 
and  rent  must  be  made  whatever  options  may  be  exercised  as  to  other 
expenditures.  If  a  family  has  had  a  large  income  and  has  been  in  the 
habit  of  purchasing  high-grade  articles  of  food,  advances  in  the  cost  of 
foodstuffs  would  probably  be  met  by  purchasing  less  high-priced  and 
more  medium-priced  articles.  There  will  be'jjalling  off  in  the  nutritive 
value  of  the  family  diet.  Families  of  moderate  incomes  which  had 
been  consuming  medium  and  low-priced  foods,  under  a  period  of  rising 
prices  would  purchase  less  of  the  medium  and  more  of  the  low-priced 
foods,  and  also  still  maintain  wholesome  standards  of  nutrition.  On  the 
other  hand,  advances  in  cost  of  staple  food  are  a  positive  danger  to  the 
families  of  low  incomes.  These  families  under  normal  conditions  are 
forced  to  buy  cheap  foods.  When  there  is  a  general  rise  in  the  price 
level,  they  cannot  substitute  a  cheaper  food  of  the  same  nutritive  value. 
They  are  compelled  to  consume  cheaper  foods,  but  these  articles  do  not 
contain  the  food  values  to  which  they  have  been  accustomed.  Beans 
or  eggs  cannot  be  substituted  for  meat.  So  far  as  these  families  are 
concerned  their  normal  diet  constituted  an  irreducible  minimum  so  far 
as  nourishment  was  concerned.  Higher  prices,  without  a  corresponding 
advance  in  income,  means  to  them  under-nourishment  and  under- 
development,' with  greater  liability  to  disease  and  all  the  other  dangers 
which  the  term  implies. 

This  state  of  affairs  has  been  most  forcibly  and  interestingly  shown  in 
a  graphical  way  by  Professor  Jaffa,  of  the  University  of  California.  His 
diagram  illustrating  this  point  is  reproduced  on  the  following  page  and  is 
so  clear  and  conclusive  as  to  require  no  explanation.^ 


This  study  is  reproduced  in  full  in  Part  II. 


4  RETAIL   PRICES. 

ABILITY  QF  FAMILIES  UNDER  HIGH,  MEDIUM  AND  LOW  WAGES  TO  MEET  INCREASING 
FOOD  PRICES  BY  SELECTIVE  CHANGES  IN  THEIR  DIETARY. 


'V.-^' ;'..'- " 

'  '  '    ■    High  Wages. 

Medium  Wages. 

Low  Wages. 

Dietary 

when 

prices 

are 

Selective  changes 
when  prices  are 

Dietary 

when 

prices 

are 

Selective  changes 
when  prices  are 

Dietary 

when 

prices 

are 

Selective  changes 
when  prices  are 

Normal. 

High. 

Very 
High. 

Normal. 

High. 

Very 
High. 

Normal. 

High. 

Very 
High. 

High 
Priced 
Foods. 

Medium 
Priced 
Foods. 

- 

- 

— 

— 

Low 
Priced 
Foods. 

Danger  zone. 

RETAIL   PRICES.  5 

2.  Index  Numbers  of  Retail  Prices,  1910-1917.^ 

Under  these  conditions  the  recent  trend  in  the  retail  prices  of  articles 
of  food  possesses  unusual  interest  and  significance.  During  the  past 
ten  years  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Labor  has  by  the  co-operation  of 
private  dealers  secured  records  from  the  leading  cities  in  all  sections  of 
the  country  as  to  the  retail  prices  of  fifteen  principal  articles  of  food 
which  enter  most  prominently  into  the  consumption  of  an  average  wage- 
earner's  family.  The  prices  thus  obtained  have  been  averaged  for  speci- 
fied cities  and  then  for  the  country  as  a  whole.  Upon  this  latter  figure 
have  been  based  computations  as  to  relative  changes  in  prices  through- 
out the  country  during  the  past  ten  years.  In  the  following  table  and 
chart,  the  average  price  of  the  fifteen  articles  of  food  for  the  year  1907 
has  been  taken  as  a  base,  or  as  equalling  100,  and  compared  with  varia- 
tions during  subsequent  years. 


INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOOD,   1907  TO  OCTOBER,  1917. 


Year. 

Retail 

prices 

of  food. 

1907 

100 
103 
108 
113 
112 
119 
122 
125 
123 
139 
156 
162 
162 
177 
184 
185 
178 
181 
187 
192 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

January,     1917 

February,    1917 

March,      1917 

April,       1917 .  .. 

May,       1917 

June,       1917 

July,       1917 

August,     1917 

September,   1917 

October,     1917 

In  working  out  the  foregoing  relative  prices  or  index  numbers,  the 
articles  of  food  have  been  weighted  according  to  their  comparative  im- 
portance in  the  food  budgets  of  an  average  workingman's  family,  the 
weights  used  being  those  ascertained  by  an  extensive  cost  of  living  in- 
vestigation throughout  the  country  made  in  1901  by  the  Bureau  of 
Labor.  This  gives  an  added  significance  to  the  results  shown.  The 
general  upward  trend  of  prices  during  this  entire  period  is  shown  graph- 
ically by  the  accompanying  line  chart. 

The  advance  in  the  retail  prices  of  all  the  fifteen  selected  articles  in 
1917  as  compared  with  each  of  the  preceding  years  is  set  forth  in  the 
following  diagram  : 


2-5. 


'For  detailed  tables  as  to  retail  price  statistics  of  the  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  see  Part  II,  Section 


6  RETAIL    PRICES. 

INCREASE  IN  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOODSTUFFS  IN   1917  AS  COMPARED 
WITH  EACH  PRECEDING  YEAR  DURING  THE  PERIOD  1907-1916. 


Year 

Per 

Cent 

1907 

92.0 

1908 

86.4 

1909 

77.8 

1910 

69.9 

1911 

71.4 

1912 

61.3 

1912 

57.4 

1914      * 

63.6 

191fi 

66.1 

1916 

38.1 

It  will  be  at  once  noted  that  during  the  past  ten  years  the  rise  in 
prices  has  been  92  points.  During  the  three  years  preceding  the  out- 
break of  the  European  war,  or  the  period  1911-1914,  the  advance  was 
13  points  as  contrasted  with  67  points  during  the  three  years  subsequent 
to  the  beginning  of  the  war.  Expressed  in  terms  of  percentages,  general 
retail  prices,  according  to  these  index  numbers,  advanced  71.4  per  cent 
during  the  period  1911-1917,  and  53.6  per  cent  during  the  period  1914- 
1917.  In  1917  retail  prices  were  38.1  per  cent  higher  than  in  1916 
and  56.1  per  cent  higher  than  in  1915. 

So  far  as  the  fifteen  separate  articles  of  which  the  index  numbers  are 
composed  are  concerned,  their  increase  in  terms  of  percentages  in  1917 
as  contrasted  with  1914  and  1911  are  shown  in  the  following  table  and 
diagram : 


INCREASE  IN  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOODSTUFFS,  1917  OVER  1911  AND  1914. 
[Compiled  from  Reports  of  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics.) 


Articles. 

Per  Cent  of  Increase, 
1917  over 

1911 

1914 

Sirloin  steak 

61.8 
78.6 
53.0 

116.8 
92.0 
79.0 

163.1 
60.8 
73.3 
49.9 
47.7 

110.9 

159.3 
35.0 
59.0 

27.9 
32.1 
26.0 
74.8 
72.8 
57.2 
136.3 
42.5 
58.3 
39.6 
39.6 
105.9 
133.3 
62.5 
64.4 

Round  steak 

Pork  chops 

Bacon 

Ham 

Lard 

Hens 

Butter 

Milk 

Flour 

Corn  meal 

Potatoes 

Sugar 

Total 

71.4 

53.6 

RETAIL    PRICES. 


8  RETAIL    PRICES. 

INCREASE  IN  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  PRINCIPAL  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD,  1917 
OVER  1914. 


RETAIL   PRICES.  '  9 

The  largest  percentages  of  increase  in  prices  since  1911  are  shown  for 
round  steak,  ham,  bacon,  flour,  pork  chops,  corn  meal,  and  lard,  in  the 
order  named.  They  range  from  78.6  per  cent  in  the  case  of  round  steak 
to  163.1  per  cent  in  the  case  of  lard.  The  articles  enumerated,  together 
with  potatoes  and  sugar,  also  advanced  more  during  the  past  three  years 
than  the  other  foodstuffs  for  which  information  was  secured  by  the 
Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics.  The  rapid  advance  in  retail  prices  of  food- 
stuffs since  the  outbreak  of  the  European  war  has  been  set  forth  in  a 
special  study  by  the  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  which  was  published  in 
its  Monthly  Review  of  August,  1917.^-  In  analyzing  the  results  of  this 
study  the  following  pertinent  comment  was  made: 

"Comparing  prices  on  July  15,  1914,  just  prior  to  the  present  war, 
with  prices  on  July  15,  1917,  food  as  a  whole  advanced  42  per  cent. 
In  July,  1917,  flour  was  125  per  cent  higher — that  is,  two  and  one-fourth 
times  the  price  in  July,  1914;  corn  meal  was  89  per  cent  higher;  lard  was 
78  per  cent  higher;  sugar;  75  per  cent  Mgher;  and  potatoes  and  bread 
each  50  per  cent  higher."  ^^ 

By  November,  1917,  the  prices  of  these  foodstuffs  had  advanced  as  a 
whole  until  they  were,  as  already  pointed  out,  more  than  50  per  cent 
higher  than  at  the  beginning  of  the  war  in  Europe  in  1914.  The  really 
pronounced  rise  in  retail  prices  of  foodstuffs  did  not  begin,  however, 
until  the  latter  part  of  1916.  There  was  a  small  advance  as  a  rule  during 
the  latter  half  of  1914.  In  the  case  of  some  commodities  this  was  main- 
tained or  slightly  increased  in  1915  and  the  first  half  of  1916,  while  in 
the  case  of  others  there  was  a  small  decline.  By  August  and  Septem- 
ber, 1916,  the  upward  tendency  set  in  very  rapidly  and  has  continued 
up  to  the  present  time.  These  variations  during  the  past  three  years 
are  clearly  shown  by  the  following  comparison  of  prices  on  January  1 
and  July  1,  1914-1917,  and  for  the  subsequent  months  of  1917. 

RELATIVE  RETAIL  PRICES.  1914-1917. 


Commodities. 

1914 

Jan. 

July 

Hens..- ' 

Eggs 

Butter 

90 

116 

101 

100 

85 

73 

92 

93 
80 

87 
98 
85 
73 
92 

Milk 

Bread 

Flour 

Corn  meal 

Rice 

Potatoes 

70 
65 

100 
65 

Sugar 

Beans 

Prunes 

Raisins 

Coflfee 

Tea 

1915 


Jan. 


86 

118 

98 

99 

92 

92 

97 

100 

55 

75 

69 

66 

102 

97 

100 

100 


July 


74 
87 
96 
97 
93 
96 

100 
55 
87 
72 
69 

101 
97 

100 

100 


1916 


Jan. 


92 
113 
97 
98 
95 
89 
95 
100 
88 
84 
83 
83 
99 
98 
100 
100 


July 


102 

85 

90 

97 

95 

86 

96 

100 

87 

109 

109 

106 

100 

99 

100 

100 


1917 


Jan. 


108 
145 
115 
109 
108 
127 
118 
100 
145 
100 
141 
132 
104 
109 
100 
100 


July 


119 
112 
117 
122 
135 
164 
174 
116 
159 
114 
104 
177 
119 
115 
102 
110 


Nov. 


125 
155 
134 
141 
135 
155 
209 
125 
119 
119 
118 
172 
124 
115 
101 
113 


See  Part  II,  Chapter  I,  Section  5. 


10 


RETAIL    PRICES. 


INCREASE  IN  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  A  LOAF  OF  BREAD,   1917  OVER 
1914,  BY  PRINCIPAL  CITIES. 


RETAIL    PRICES. 


11 


3.  The  Increase  in  the  Cost  of  Bread. 

Probably  one  of  the  bevSt  single  indicators  of  the  increased  cost  of  liv- 
ing, especially  in  the  case  of  families  of  low  incomes,  is  the  price  of  bread. 
Some  illuminating  statistics  in  this  connection  have  recently  been  col- 
lected by  the  Federal  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics.  They  consist  of  com- 
parative prices  in  16  leading  American  cities  during  the  past  three  years 
of  a  standard  loaf  of  bread  weighing  sixteen  ounces  before  baking. 
The  following  table  and  chart  which  are  based  on  these  figures  show  by 
cities  the  advance  in  cost  in  terms  of  cents  and  percentages  of  this  stand- 
ard loaf  in  1917  as  compared  with  1914: 

INCREASE  IN  THE  PRICE  OF  A  LOAF  OF  BREAD  WEIGHING  SIXTEEN  OUNCES  OR 
OVER  BEFORE  BAKING,  1917  OVER  1914  BY  PRINCIPAL  CITIES. 

[Compiled  from  Reports  of  United  States  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics.] 


City. 

Cost  of  loaf  of 
Bread. 

Increase  in  1917 
over  1914. 

1914. 

1917. 

Cents. 

Per  cent. 

Atlanta,  Ga 

Baltimore,  Md 

Birmingham,  Ala 

Chicago,  111 

$0,054 
.050 
.049 
.053 
.044 
.051 
.050 
.048 
.050 
.053 
.041 
.059 
.049 
.050 
.054 
.051 

$0,091 
.082 
.094 
.093 
.081 
.089 
.088 
.089 
.092 
.089 
.077 
.088 
.086 
.093 
.083 
.090 

.037 
.032 
.045 
.040 
.037 
.038 
.038 
.041 
.04i 
.036 
.036 
.029 
.037 
.043 
.029 
.039 

68.5 
64.0 
91.8 
75.5 
84.1 
74.5 
76.0 
85.4 
84.0 
67.9 
87.8 
49.2 
75.5 
86.0 
53.7 
76.5 

Cincinnati,  Ohio 

Cleveland,  Ohio 

Dallas,  Tex 

Denver,  Colo 

Minneapolis,  Minn 

New  Haven,  Conn 

New  Orleans,  La 

New  York,  N.  Y.  .  ..' :.:...... 

Portland,  Ore 

St.  Louis,  Mo 

San  Francisco,  Cal 

Washington,  D.  C 

The  foregoing  statement  shows  that  the  range  of  advance  in  bread 
prices  since  the  beginning  of  the  European  war  has  been  from  2.9  cents 
to  4.5  cents  a  loaf.  Expressed  in  terms  of  percentage,  the  smallest  in- 
crease in  1917  as  compared  with  1914  was  49.2  per  cent  in  New  York, 
and  the  highest,  91.8  percent,  in  Birmingham,  Alabama.  In  eleven  out 
of  the  sixteen  cities  for  which  returns  are  given  in  the  table  above,  the 
price  of  a  loaf  of  bread  advanced  75  or  more  per  cent  during  the  period, 
1914-1917. 


4.  The  Advance  in  the  Cost  of  Fuel  and  Light. 

Comparative  prices  are  available  as  to  the  cost  of  gas  for  lighting  and 
other  purposes  in  the  principal  cities  of  the  country.  These  figures  show 
considerable  variations  from  one  locality  to  another,  but  practically  no 
increase  during  recent  years.  Owing  to  the  recent  rapid  advances  in 
the  cost  of  fuel,  labor,  and  materials,  however,  applications  from  public 
utility  corporations  for  permission  to  increase  their  rates  are  now  pend- 
ing in  all  sections  of  the  country  and  it  may  be  expected  that  increases 
in  these  items  of  expenditure  will  take  place  in  the  near  future.^ 


'  See  Part  II,  Chapter  I. 


12 


RETAIL   PRICES. 


Increases  in  the  cost  of  coal  have  been  very  rapid  during  recent  years 
and  especially  since  the  beginning  of  the  calendar  year,  1917.2  Up  until 
a  year  ago,  or  January,  1917,  the  advances  in  the  retail  prices  of  coal  as 
compared  with  the  corresponding  months  of  1914  and  1917,  ranged 
from  22  to  34  per  cent.  By  certain  kinds  of  domestic  coal  they  were 
as  follows: 


Kind  of  coal. 

Per  cent  increase  in  relative  prices 
in  January,  1917,  over 

January,  1914, 

January,  1911. 

Pennsylvania  white  ash: 
Stove 

22 
21 
30 

28 
28 

34 

Bituminous             .        

The  relative  retail  prices  upon  which  the  above  comparisons  are  based 
and  which  cover  the  period  January,  1907,  to  January,  1917,  are  as 
follows: 

RELATIVE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  COAL  EACH  YEAR.  1907-1917.  INCLUSIVE.  AND  ON 
JANUARY  15.  AND  JULY  15,  OF  EACH  YEAR  OF  THE  SAME  PERIOD. 

[Average  price  for  1915  =  100.] 


Month  and  year. 

Pennsylvania 

white  ash, 

stove. 

Pennsylvania 
white  ash. 
Chestnut. 

Bituminous. 

January.  1907 

94 
95 
95 
95 
95 
96 
104 
100 
101 
103 
122 

92 
94 
94 
94 
94 
96 
103 
100 
101 
103 
121 

102 
103 
99 
100 
103 
100 
105 
106 
102 
101 
138 

January,  1908 '.  . 

January.  1909     

January.  1910 

January,  1911 

January.  1912 

January,  1913 

January.  1914 .... 

January.  1915 

January,  1916 

January,  1917 

There  is  no  authoritative  data  as  to  relative  prices  of  coal  for  the 
country  as  a  whole  subsequent  to  January,  1917.  The  following  fig- 
ures, however,  which  show  the  price  of  bituminous  coal  (run  of  mine) 
at  the  mine  in  the  Pittsburgh  District  for  the  period  January,  1905,  to 
January,  1918,  afford  an  insight  into  the  trend  of  retail  coal  prices. 


PRICE  OF  BITUMINOUS  COAL  (RUN  OF  MINE)  AT  THE  MINE  PITTSBURGH  DISTRICT 
JANUARY.  1905,  TO  JANUARY,  1918. 


1905 

$0  95 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1918 

$1.05 

1.35 

1.22 

1.10 

1.70 

4.85 

2.45 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1.20 

1.15 

1    15 

1909 

1910 

1.15 

1   20 

1911 

1   97'; 

2  See  Part  II,  Chapter  I. 


RETAIL   PRICES. 


13 


From  the  above  prices  it  is  at  once  evident  that  the  price  of  bitumin- 
ous (run  of  mine)  coal  at  the  pit  mouth  in  the  Pittsburgh  District  was 
about  300  per  cent  greater  in  1917  than  in  1914  and  1911.  On  July  5, 
1917,  the  Federal  Government,  through  the  Coal  Committee  of  the 
Council  of  National  Defense,  fixed  a  price  of  $3.00  a  ton,  and  this  was 
later  changed,  on  November  1,  by  the  National  Fuel  Administrator 
to  $2.45  a  ton.  This  latter  price  was  practically  200  per  cent  higher 
than  in  1914  or  1911. 

5.  Retail  Food  Prices  and  the  Purchasing  Power  of  the  Dollar. 

Perhaps  a  better  insight  into  the  significance  of  recent  advances  in 
the  retail  prices  of  foodstuffs  is  to  be  found  in  a  comparison  of  the  pur- 
chasing power  of  the  dollar,  or  the  standard  of  American  values,  during 
recent  years.  The  table  and  diagram  which  immediately  follow  show 
the  declining  purchasing  power  of  the  dollar  over  leading  articles  of 
foodstuffs  during  the  period,  1911-1917: 


DECLINE  IN  PURCHASING  POWER  OF  THE  DOLLAR,  1911-1917. 


Article. 


Sirloin  steak lb, 

Round  steak lb 

Rib  roast lb 

Pork  chops lb 

Bacon lb 

Ham lb 

Lard lb 

Hens lb, 

Eggs doz 

Butter lb 

Milk qt 

Flour i  bbl 

Corn  meal lb 

Potatoes pk 

Sugar lb. 

Total 


Relative  purchasing  power  of  the  dollar. 

1911. 

1912. 

1913. 

1914. 

1915. 

1916. 

1917. 

100.0 

87.8 

81.6 

79.6 

79.6 

75.5 

67.3 

100.0 

87.9 

77.6 

74.1 

75.9 

70.7 

55.2 

100.0 

78.1 

79.7 

76.6 

78.1 

73.4 

60.9 

100.0 

92.9 

83.9 

80.4 

87.5 

78.6 

46.4 

100.0 

100.0 

92.5 

90.0 

92.5 

87.5 

52.5 

100.0 

100.0 

90.5 

88.1 

92.9 

81.0 

54.8 

100.0 

95.8 

88.7 

90.1 

95.8 

80.3 

38.0 

100.0 

96.2 

90.4 

88.5 

92.3 

80.8 

61.5 

100.0 

96.8 

96.8 

93.5 

96.8 

87.1 

58.1 

100.0 

89.7 

89.7 

93.1 

96.6 

86.2 

69.0 

100.0 

98.3 

94.8 

94.8 

95.7 

94.8 

68.1 

100.0 

96.7 

101.6 

97.6 

81.3 

75.6 

47.2 

100.0 

104.1 

93.2 

90.0 

87.3 

79.5 

38.6 

100.0 

96.7 

130.0 

120.0 

146.7 

83.3 

73.3 

100.0 

97.0 

111.0 

103.0 

92.7 

76.2 

62.8 

100.0 

94.1 

91.8 

89.6 

91.1 

80.6 

58.3 

The  purchasing  power  of  the  dollar  in  1917  as  compared  with  1911,  as 
can  be  seen  from  the  foregoing  figures,  declined  almost  42  per  cent.  In 
other  words,  practically  only  three-fifths  of  the  quantities  of  foodstuffs 
could  be  purchased  in  the  latter  j^ear  as  compared  with  the  former.  The 
decline  in  the  buying  power  of  the  dollar  has  been  especially  marked 
since  the  outbreak  of  the  European  conflict  in  1914.  From  1911  to 
1914  the  purchasing  power  of  the  dollar  over  foods  fell  only  8  points, 
while  from  1914  to  1917  the  decline  was  31  points,  or  almost  four  times 
as  much  as  in  the  three  years  preceding  the  war.  This  tendency  is 
more  clearly  brought  out  in  the  following  table,  which  shows  the  falling 
off  in  the  purchasing  power  of  the  dollar  as  compared  with  each  pre- 
ceding year  during  the  period,  1911-1917. 


14  RETAIL    PRICES. 


DECLINE  IN  THE  PURCHASING  POWER  OF  A  DOLLAR,  BY  YEARS  AND 
PRINCIPAL  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD,  1911-1917. 


19H  19X2  1913  1914  19X5  1916  1917 


SIRLOIN  STEAK.  LB 


ROUND  STEAK    LB 


RIB   ROAST    LB 


PORK  CHOPS.  Lb 


[logloH    Mioo.o 


LARD    LB 


RETAIL    PRICES.  15 


DECLINE  IN  THE  PURCHASING  POWER  OF  A  DOLLAR,  BY  YEARS  AND 
PRINCIPAL  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD.  1911-1917.- 


1911  1912  1913  1914  1915  1916  1917 


EGGS.  Dor. 


BUTTER.  LB 


CORN  MEAL.  LB 


POTATOES    PK 


^9  ^P  ^p  ^p  ^^  C^  &F 


SUGAR.  LB  ■100.0^        ^II^B       Blll.oB       Ml03.0 


##eee^€ 


Represents  IVCRSiSE  over  1911. 


16  RETAIL    PRICES. 

DECLINE  IN  PURCHASING  POWER  OF  THE  DOLLAR. 

RELATIVE  PURCHASING  POWER  OF  THE  DOLLAR  IN  OCTOBER,  1917,  AS 
COMPARED  WITH 


Article. 

1911. 

1912. 

1913. 

1914. 

1915. 

1916. 

Sirloin  steak 

67.3 

55.2 

60.9  • 

46.4 

52.5 

54.8 

38.0 

61.5 

58.1 

69.0 

68.1 

47.2 

38.6    . 

73.3 

62.8 

76.7 
62.7 
78.0 
50.0 
52.5 
54.8 
39.7 
64.0 
60.0 
76.9 
69.3 
48.7 
37.1 
75.9 
64.8 

82.5 
71.1 
76.5 
55.3 
56.8 
60.5 
42.9 
68.1 
60.0 
76.9 
71.8 
46.4 
41.4 
56.4 
56.6 

84.6 
74.4 
79.6 
57.8 
58.3 
62.2 
42.2 
69.6 
62.1 
74.1 
71.8 
48.3 
42.9 
61.1 
60.9 

84.6 
72.7 
78.0 
53.1 
56.8 
59.0 
39.7 
66.7 
60.0 
71.4 
71.2 
58.0 
44.3 
50.0 
67.8 

89.2 
78.0 
83.0 
59.1 
60.0 
67.6 
47.4 
76.2 
66.7 
80.0 
71.8 
62.4 
48.6 
88.0 
82.4 

Pork  chops          

Bacon 

Ham 

Lard 

Hens 

Eggs 

Butter 

Milk               

Flour 

Corn  meal 

Potatoes 

Sugar 

Total 

58.3 

62.0 

63.5 

65.1 

64.1 

72.4 

From  this  table  the  fact  stands  forth  that  less  than  one-half  as  much 
flour,  corn  meal  and  lard  could  be  bought  with  a  dollar  in  1917  as  con- 
trasted with  1914  and  1911,  and  less  than  three-fifths  as  much  pork 
chops  and  bacon.  Expressed  in  terms  of  all  the  enumerated  articles 
of  food  the  dollar  had  the  following  relative  values  in  1917  as  compared 
with  the  years  listed: 

1911 58.3  cents 

1912 62.0  cents 

1913 63 . 5  cents 

1914^. 65 . 1  cents 

1915 64 . 1  cents 

1916 72.4  cents 

This  comparison  reveals  the  astonishing  fact  that  the  purchasing  power 
of  the  dollar,  during  the  past  year  alone,  has  declined  more  than  one- 
fourth. 


RETA  L   PRICES. 


17 


6.  Variations  in  Food  Prices  in  the  Leading  Cities  of  the  Country.^ 

The  retail  price  of  foodstuffs,  as  reported  by  the  Bureau  of  Labor 
Statistics,  seems  to  vary  under  normal  conditions  about  24  per  cent  in 
the  principal  cities  of  the  country.  The  best  comparison  along  these 
lines  has  been  carefully  worked  out  by  Professor  J.  C.  Ogburn  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Washington.  While  a  member  of  the  faculty  of  Reed  College 
at  Portland,  Oregon,  he  worked  out  from  the  detailed  reports  of  the 
Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  the  relative  prices  of  food  stuffs  in  the  leading 
cities  of  the  country.  Portland,  Oregon,  was  taken  as  100  and  the  rela- 
tion of  prices  in  other  cities  to  Portland  and  to  each  other  compared  on 
the  basis  of  these  returns.  Because  of  their  interest  and  value  his  final 
results  are  reproduced  below: 


RELATIVE  COST  OF  FOOD  IN  LEADING  CITIES. 
(Portland,  Oregon  =  100) 


Minneapolis. . . 

St.  Paul 

Denver 

Milwaukee 

Cincinnati. . .  . 

Detroit 

St.  Louis 

Buffalo 

Portland 

Baltimore 

Chicago 

Salt  Lake  City 

Omaha 

Kansas  City .  . 
Richmond .... 

Memphis 

Seattle 

Springfield. . . . 
Indianapolis.  . 
Cleveland...   . 

Atlanta 

New  Orleans. . 


92.7 

94.8 

96.2 

97.6 

97.8 

98.1 

98.2 

98.8 

100. 

100.2 

101.3 

101.9 

102.3 

102.4 

102.5 

102.7 

102.8 

103.5 

103.6 

104.4 

104.4 

104.6 

Manchester. . 
Schenectady . 
Scran  ton .... 

Washington . . 
Little  Rock .  . 
Pittsburg. . . . 
San  Francisco 
New  York. .  . 

Philadelphia . 

Dallas 

Boston 

Charleston. . . 
Louisville 

Los  Angeles. . 
Fall  River.  .. 
New  Haven.. 
Providence.. . 
Jacksonville.. 

Newark 

Birmingham. . 


105.7 

106. 

106.3 

106.4 
106.6 
106.6 
106.6 
106.7 

107.5 
107.6 
108.4 
108.6 
109. 

110.3 
110.3 
110.8 
112.5 
113. 

114.1 
115.1 


See  Part  II,  Chapter  I,  Sections  12  and  13. 


CHAPTER  II. 
WHOLESALE  PRICES. 

Wholesale  prices,  especially  of  foodstuffs,  show  an  even  greater  ad- 
vance than  retail  prices  during  recent  years.  For  the  purpose  of  showing 
the  tendencies  as  to  wholesale  prices  in  a  brief,  comparative  form,  the 
following  table  has  been  prepared.  It  sets  forth  the  increase  in  the 
authoritative  index  numbers  of  wholesale  prices  in  this  country  and 
Canada  in  the  year  1917  as  compared  with  the  years  1914  and  1911. 

INCREASE  IN  WHOLESALE  PRICES  AS  INDICATED  BY  REPRESENTATIVE  INDEX 
NUMBERS,   1917  OVER   1911  AND   1914. 


Index  number. 

Increase  per  cent. 

1917 
over 
1911. 

1917 
over 
1914. 

Dun 

79.1 
104.4 
98.6 
93.5 
93.1 
90.4 

77.3 
100.1 
78.1 
86.3 
80.8 
78.3 

Bradstreet       .        

United  States  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics 

Gibson                                                                        ... 

The  commodities  which  are  used  in  computing  these  index  numbers 
together  with  the  basis  of  computation  are  technically  explained  in 
detail  at  a  later  point. ^  Dun  and  Bradstreet's  have  been  established 
as  one  branch  of  the  activities  of  commercial  agencies  in  reporting  the 
general  level  of  prices  in  the  country.  For  this  reason  they  represent 
the  prices  of  a  large  variety  of  commodities  in  order  to  correctly  reflect 
commercial  and  industrial  tendencies.  The  same  is  true  but  to  a  less 
extent  of  Gibson's  index  numbers,  which  are  used  in  connection  with  a 
service  which  aims  to  analyze  and  reflect  contemporaneous  business  and 
financial  conditions.  The  index  numbers  of  the  New  York  Times 
Annalist,  on  the  other  hand,  are  based  on  prices  of  food  products  alone 
arranged  according  to  the  consumption  of  an  average  family.  While 
the  index  numbers  of  the  Canadian  and  United  States  Bureaus  of  Labor 
Statistics  include  other  groups  of  articles  than  foods,  they  are  also 
selected  and  arranged  to  correspond  to  the  commodities  demanded  and 
consumed  by  a  normal  or  average  family.  This  can  readily  be  seen  from 
the  following  classification  of  articles  upon  which  the  index  numbers 
of  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  are  based: 

Farm  products 

Food,  etc. 

Cloths  and  clothing 

Fuel  and  lighting 

Metals  and  metal  products 

Lumber  and  building  materials 

Drugs  and  chemicals 

House  furnishing  goods 

Sundries 
Upon  referring  to  the  table  immediately  preceding,  together  with  the 
following  charts,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  tendencies  in  price  increases 
shown  by  all  five  of  the  series  of  index  numbers  are  remarkably  uniform. 

1  See  Part  II,  Chapter  II. 

18 


WHOLESALE    PRICES. 


19 


With  the  exception  of  Bradstreet's  they  all  show  the  same  general 
advances  both  for  the  three  years  preceding  and  the  three  years  subse- 
quent to  the  year  1914.  The  higher  points  reached  by  Bradstreet's 
were  undoubtedly  due  to  the  effect  of  the  prices  of  metals  and  other 
primary  articles  included  in  the  computation  of  Bradstreet's  index  num- 
bers. For  the  period,  1911-1917,  the  general  increase  in  the  wholesale 
price  level,  as  indicated  by  these  index  numbers,  ranged  from  79.1  to 
104.4  per  cent.  The  minimum  and  maximum,  however,  were  repre- 
sented by  the  index  numbers  of  Dun  and  Bradstreet,  which,  as  already 
pointed  out,  were  affected  by  the  inclusion  of  prices  for  metals  and  simi- 
lar commodities  which  have  fluctuated  violently  during  the  past  three 
years.  The  general  advance  in  wholesale  prices  during  the  seven  years, 
1911-1917,  as  shown  by  the  other  four  index  numbers,  ranged  from  90.4 
per  cent  in  the  case  of  the  Canadian  series  to  98.6  per  cent  in  the  case  of 
the  Annalist.  The  increase  shown  by  the  Gibson  and  Bureau  of  Labor 
Statistics  series  was  almost  the  same,  being  93.1  per  cent  in  the  former, 
and  93.5  per  cent  in  the  latter  series. 

During  the  past  three  years  the  same  relative  tendencies  have  been 
exhibited.  With  the  exception  of  Dun  and  Bradstreet's,  the  other  five 
series  have  shown  almost  similar  increases,  the  difference  between  the 
highest  and  the  lowest  advance  being  only  8  points.  The  Canadian 
Department  of  Labor,  Gibson,  and  the  Annalist  series  are  almost  identi- 
cal in  point  of  increase,  the  variation  between  them  being  only  2.7  per 
cent.  These  results  point  to  the  conclusion  that  the  general  advance  in 
wholesale  prices  since  the  outbreak  of  the  European  war  has  been 
approximately  78  to  80  per  cent. 

1.— WHOLESALE  PRICE  ADVANCES,  BY  COMMODITIES, 

1911-1917. 
The  advances  in  wholesale  prices  made  by  various  classes  of  commod- 
ities entering  into  the  computation  of  the  index  numbers  of  the  Bureau 
of  Labor  Statistics  in  1917  as  against  1911  and  1914,  is  shown  in  the  fol- 
lowing table: 

INCREASE  IN  WHOLESALE  PRICES  BY  CLASSES  OF  COMMODITIES.  ENTERING 

INTO  INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  BUREAU  OF  LABOR  STATISTICS, 

1917  OVER  1911  AND  1914. 


Per  cent  of  increase. 

1917 
over 
1911. 

1917 
over 
1914. 

Farm  products , 

118 

81 

96 
113 
157 

33 

98 

67 

55 

93.5 

95 
74 
91 
86 
161 
39 
98 
60 
64 
86.3 

Food ,  etc 

Cloths  and  clothing 

Fuel  and  lighting 

Metals  and  metal  products 

Lumber  and  building  materials 

Drugs  and  chemicals 

House  furnishing  goods  . . 

Miscellaneous 

All  commodities. .  . 

Farm  and  food  products,  fuel  and  lighting,  cloths  and  clothing,  so 
far  as  general  household  consumption  is  concerned,  it  will  be  noted,  show 
the  greatest  increases  for  both  periods  for  which  comparisons  are  made. 
Metals  and  metal  products  and  drugs  and  chemicals  in  their  unusual 
advances  reflect  war  demands  for  munitions  and  other  purposes. 


20 


WHOLESALE   PRICES. 


TREND  IN  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  PRINCIPAL  COMMODITIES  AS  IN- 
DICATED BY  THE  INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  U.  S.  BUREAU  OF  LABOR 
STATISTICS,  1890-1917. 


ittt    IMl     MM     IMS     MM 


iwo  ttoi  xMa  IN*  i*(H   IMS  itM  iwT  tto*  iM  iuo   i«ii   itu  m«   i*u  tn>   >«i*  mr 


Tear 

Index 

' 

. 1890                   66 

1891  66 

1892  61 

1 

- 1893                     63 

1894  66 

1895  57 

1896  54 
169^                     RA 

185 
18S 
19C 
19C 

8  S6 

9  60 
K)                    65 
)1                    64 

2  69 

3  69 

4  TO 
6                    69 

19C 
19C 
19C 
19C 

— 

1907  76 

1908  74 

1909  79 

1910  81 

19: 
19] 
19] 
19] 

L2                    82 
L3                     81 
L4                     80 
L6                     81 
L6                  100 
1  *              149 

eptembar. 

/ 

19] 
19] 

♦  £ 

./ 

/ 

^ 

/ 

/ 

^ 

\ 

/ 

— 

\ 

^ 

\ 

/ 

/ 

\ 

X 

^ 

/ 

WHOLESALE  PRICES. 


21 


TREND  IN  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  PRINCIPAL  COMMODITIES  AS  IN- 
DICATED BY  N.  Y.  TIMES  ANNALIST  YEARLY  INDEX  NUMBERS, 
1890-1917. 


iMo  in>   uta 


MM    IWT    IM*    1«M    l«Oe    IMt     IMS    1M>     IM*    1*0*     IMt    l*eT    1*M    t«0«   lUO    ItU     1*U    MU     ltl4     UU    1*M    1M1 


b«r 
262 

Tear       Ind 

noB 

1890  109, 

1891  119, 

1892  108, 

1893  116, 

1894  102 

488 
624 
100 

1896       94,604 

1896  80,096 

1897  84,092 

- 

1899  93, 

1900  99, 

1901  104, 

1902  116, 

1903  107, 

1904  108, 
1906      110, 

1906  114, 

1907  117. 

1908  125. 

1909  133. 

1910  137. 

1911  131. 

1912  143, 

1913  139. 

1914  146. 
1916      148. 

1916  ^    176. 

1917  *    260. 

*  To  December 

348 
388 
666 

264 

616 
664 

364 

940 
766 

9b2 
172 
068 
?54 

' 

980 
069 
066 

286 
10tl> 

1 

/ 

/ 

/ 

^ 

/ 

-^ 

/ 

y' 

\ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

\ 

/ 

\ 

/ 

\ 

^ 

y 

r 

\ 

s 

y 

/ 

\ 



\ 

V 

J 

^ 

/ 

\ 

^ 

/ 

22 


WHOLESALE    PRICES. 


TREND  IN  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  PRINCIPAL  COMMODITIES  AS  IN- 
DICATED   BY    DUN'S    INDEX    NUMBERS,    1890-1917. 


UM    Ml    im    UM    IIM    IH*    ItH^UM    1M«    UM    IMO    X«01    i«M    «0»    1«M    1«M    1404    IWt    MM    IM*    lUO   HU    lU*    lUl    1«U    IMS    IMt     l»»t    \? 

1       i       i       1       1'    i      1 
aanuary  1  -         Dollara 

1890  90.191 

1891  98.247 
3,892                     89.822 

1893  94.166     . 

1894  96.032 
1896                     80.992 

1896  77.780 

1897  76.502 

1 

190 

1898  79.940 

1899  80.423 

1900  95.295 

1901  96.668 

1902  101.687     " 

1903  100.356 

1904  100.142 
1906                   100.318 

[ 

1(0 

1907  107.264 

1908  113.282 

1909  111.848 

1910  123.434 

r 

1911  116.102 

1912  123.438 

1913  120.832 

1914  124.528 

1 

1915 
1916 

124.168 

137.666 

169.562 

*              220.172 

150 

1917 
1917 

*  December  let. 

iko 

1 

130 

1 

1 

\ 

/ 

"^ 

y 

~ 

1 

110 

/ 

1 

\ 

/ 

/ 

y 

/ 

w 

L 

V 

^^ 

V 

/ 

/ 

~ 

•0 

N 

\ 

Se- 

/ 

70 

S 

^ 

/ 

WHOLESALE    PRICES. 


23 


TREND  IN  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  PRINCIPAL  COMMODITIES  AS  IN- 
DICATED  BY  BRADSTREET'S  YEARLY  INDEX  NUMBERS,  1892-1917. 


tMO      INl    1N2      1*03    1*0*      ins    IIM 


IW*    INO  1(U      ItU     1*1*     IN*     1U»     1*1*     1*10 


Year 

DollSK 

1892 

1893 
1894 
1896 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 

7.776 
7.632 
6.684 
6.434 

6.912 
6.116 
6.671 
7.210 

1 

1901  7.674 

1902  7.876 

1903  7.936 

1904  7.918 
1906                   8.098 

1906  8.417 

1907  8.904 

1908  8.009 

1 

1 

1909  8.616 

1910  8.988 
19U                   8.713 

1912  9.186 

1913  9.207 

1914                   8.903 
1916                   9.853 

1916  11.826 

1917  17.811 

/ 

/ 

y 

s. 

/ 

r — 

^ 

/ 

\ 

/ 

/ 

^ 

/ 

^ 

\ 

J 

/ 

N 

^ 

— 

• 

\ 

^ 

\ 

/ 

/ 

1 — 

L 

24 


WHOLESALE   PRICES. 


TREND  IN  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  PRINCIPAL  COMMODITIES  AS  IN- 
DICATED BY  GIBSON'S  AVERAGE  YEARLY  INDEX  NUMBERS.  1890-1917. 


)Mo    iMi    ina   iM)    ia»>    ism    ism    ia*t    km   ism  imo    itoi    i«oj    ik3    i«<m    ins    in*    iiof    i«a«  i* 

09       mo      19 

11      HIJ     1»13      l» 

l«     ltl»     UU     l»l' 

I     J     :     ! 

^•■r                Indaz 
nnaiier 

1890                    43.4 

-  1891                     60.8 

1892  46.3 

1893  46.0 

1894  43.4 

1896  42.0 

-  1896                     34.0 

1897  34.7 

1898  38.7 

1899  41,6 

1900  42.2 

-  1901                     44.6 

1902  63.6 

1903  49.0 

1904  48.3 
1906                     47.3 

■ 

100 
90 
60 
70 

to 

70 
<0 

50 
ko 
>o 
ao 

10 
0 

1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
—    19U 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1916 

_       lOlR 

50.9 

59.2 
59.3 

52.6 
58.1 
60.8 
54.0 
59.3 
)9.9 

) 

\ 

y 

\ 

1 

917 
U 

■on 

1 
ths. 

J 

\ 

y 

/ 

"^ 

/ 

\ 

y* 

/ 

\ 

- 

X 

V 

,^ 

^ 

/ 

"^ 

^ 

oo 

\ 

y 

_ 

_J 

WHOLESALE   PRICES. 


25 


TREND  IN  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  PRINCIPAL  COMMODITIES  AS  IN- 
DICATED BY  CANADIAN  DEPARTMENT  OF  LABOR  INDEX  NUMBERS, 
1890-1917. 


IMO     IMl     tl 


IMS     IWt     IMT    18fS     laM     1«C0     IKl     IMt     ItO}     19M     ItOS     IK<     IMT     IMS    ItOt     ItlO     l«ll     lUZ     1*11     1«1«    1*13     1U(     lU* 


„i 

1 

Index 
nofflber 

■ 

£40 
MO 

eco 

810. 

too 

1890  110.3 

1891  108.6 

1892  102.8 

1893  102.6 

1894  97.2 
1896                     96.6 

1896  92.6, 

1897  92.2 

1898  96.1 
11899                   100.1 

. 

1900  10 

1901  10 

1902  10 
■1903                   IK 

1904                   11 
1906                   11. 

1906  12( 

1907  12 

1908  12( 

1909  12- 

1910  12^ 

1911  12 

1912  13( 

1913  13 

).2 
).0 

L.4 

s.e 

}.0 

}.8 

leo 

7.4 

).0 
3.6 

/ 

1916                   148.0 

1916  ^               182.0 

1917  *               242.6 

/ 

160. 

* 

10  n 

ontl 

la 

1 

/ 

f 

/ 

/ 

/ 

\ 

^ 

^ 

/ 

^ 
■^^ 

\ 

s. 

/ 

S 

^ 

\ 

X 

y 

26 


WHOLESALE    PRICES. 


INCREASE    IN   WHOLESALE    PRICES  AS  INDICATED  BY  REPRESENTA- 
TIVE INDEX  NUMBERS,  1917  OVER  1911. 


ii°. 


2i? !4?_ 


io li. 


sio  190 


79.1  per  cent. 


BRADSTREET 


104,4  per  cent. 


BUREAU  OF  LABOR 


93.6  per  cent. 


93.1  per  cent. 


CANADIAN   OEPT    OF  LABOR 


90.4  per  cent. 


2.— WHOLESALE  PRICES  SINCE  THE  OUTBREAK  OF  THE 
EUROPEAN  WAR. 

Out  of  fourteen  foodstuffs  enumerated  in  the  following  table,  the  whole- 
sale prices  of  six  in  June,  1917,  were  more  than  double,  and  in  the  case 
of  one  three  times  greater  than  what  they  were  in  July,  1914.  The 
greater  number  of  other  articles  of  food  advanced  in  price  during  the 
same  period  at  least  75  per  cent.  The  same  was  true  of  cotton  and  cot- 
ton yarns,  while  wool  and  worsted  yarns  increased  in  price  more  than  130 
per  cent.  The  percentages  of  increase  for  different  commodities  are 
shown  in  detail  in  the  table  which  follows: 

INCREASE  IN  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  SELECTED  COMMODITIES, 
JUNE,  1917,  OVER  JULY,  1914. 


Article. 

Per  cent  increase 

June,  1917,  over 

July,  1914. 

Cattle,  good  to  choice  steers 

36.1 

19.6 

76.8 

79.1 

71.8 

75.7 

107.2 

200.2 

102.4 

141.6 

173.7 

144.5 

79.5 

70.3 

93.8 

74.4 

134.6 

138.5 

172.7 

142.5 

194.9 

102.6 

267.1 

419.7 

90.7 

77.1 

Beef,  fresh,  native  steers 

Beef,  salt,  mess 

Hogs,  heavy 

Pork,  salt,  mess 

Lard,  prime,  contract 

Wheat,  No.  1,  Northern 

Flour,  standard  patent.  .  .  . 

Corn,  No.  2,  mixed 

Meal,  fine,  yellow 

Potatoes,  white 

Sugar,  granulated 

Hides,  packers' 

Cotton,  upland,  middling 

Cotton  yarns,  carded  10-1 

Wool,  fine,  fleece,  scoured.. 

Worsted  yarns,  2-32s 

Copper,  electrolytic 

Pig  lead 

Pig  tin 

Pig  iron,  Bessemer 

Steel  billets 

Spelter 

Petroleum,  crude 

WHOLESALE    PRICES. 


27 


INCREASE    IN    WHOLESALE    PRICES    OF    PRINCIPAL    ARTICLES,    1917 
OVER  1911. 


Coal,  Anthr.-«tova,  long  ton 

18.2 

Svigar.  lb. 

29.5 

Egg»,  doi.  New  York, 

}>*.0 

kUk,  fresh  qt.  Now  York, 

i^S.S 

Butter,  lb. 

51.5 

Haa.  lb. 

51.6 

Cotton,  lb. New  York, 

51 .8 

Cheese,  lb.  New  York. 

59.9 

Beeves ,  live  lot,  100  Iba . 

66.1 

Pork,  bbl. 

75.6 

Bacon,  clear  lb. 

68.6 

Lard,  lb 

90.5 

Corn  meal,  yellow,  bbl. 

IIO.U 

Wool,  lb.  Ohio, 

113.1 

Corn,  bu. 
[Pi^lron,  "long  ton 

122.0 
134.8 

U  H'Al  11  l^JtH'M-im 

182.9 

28 


WHOLESALE   PRICES. 


INCREASE    IN    WHOLESALE    PRICES    OF    PRINCIPAL    ARTICLES,    1917 
OVER  1914. 


CHAPTER  III 

THE  VALUE  OF  BUDGETARY  STUDIES. 

Statistics  as  to  retail  prices  are  valueless  so  far  as  their  bearing  upon 
family  living  costs  are  concerned,  unless  it  is  known  what  proportions  of 
different  classes  of  food,  other  articles,  and  services  enter  into  the  con- 
sumption of  families  of  various  incomes.  When  it  is  known  what  pro- 
portion of  a  family's  outgo  is  for  food,  rent,  fuel,  clothing,  and  miscella- 
neous items,  the  retail  prices  of  certain  articles  can  be  weighted  accord- 
ing to  their  relative  importance  from  a  consumption  standpoint,  and  the 
increased  family  living  costs  correctly  ascertained.  For  this  reason  a 
number  of  original  investigations  have  been  made  to  ascertain  these 
facts.  Other  studies  have  been  made  to  determine  the  cost  of  a  minimum 
family  subsistence  or  of  a  minimum  standard  of  comfort.  Because  of  the 
great  importance  of  these  classes  of  investigations,  they  have  been 
brought  together  and  analyzed  in  the  following  sections.* 


1  For  a  reprint  of  the  more  important  budgets,  see  Part  II,  Chapter  III. 


1.— WEEKLY  BUDGETS,  1911-1917. 

The  Canadian  Department  of  Labor  publishes  each  month  an  average 
workingman's  family  budget  showing  the  weekly  cost  of  staple  foods, 
fuel  and  lighting,  and  rent.*  Beginning  with  the  year  1914,  the  Bureau 
of  Labor  of  the  State  of  Washington  has  also  prepared  each  April  a 
budget  showing  the  weekly  and  annual  cost  to  a  family  of  five  for  gro- 
ceries, fresh  meat  and  fish,  and  fuel.^  In  19-17,  as  compared  with  1914, 
the  Canadian  budget  shows  an  advance  in  the  cost  of  living  for  the  items 
enumerated  of  27.7  per  cent,  while  the  Washington  budget,  probably 
because  of  the  exclusion  of  rent,  shows  an  increase  of  35.6  per  cent. 
This  general  comparison,  together  with  the  advance  in  the  detailed  items 
of  food,  fuel  and  rent  during  the  past  six  years,  is  set  forth  in  the  follow- 
ing table: 


COMPARISON  OF  CANADIAN  AND  WASHINGTON  (STATE)  WEEKLY  BUDGETS,  1911-1917. 


Canadian  Department  of  Labor. 

1911. 

1914. 

1917. 

Per  cent 
1917 

increase 
over 

1911. 

1914. 

Food 

$  7.14 
1.78 
4.05 

$  7.99 
1.90 
4.54 

$11.68 
2.40 
4.36 

63.6 
34.6 

7.7 

46.1 
26.5 
»14.1 

Fuel  and  lighting 

Rent 

Total 

$12.97 

$14.44 

$4.57 
2.52 
1.01 

$18.44 

$6.48 
3.39 
1.10 

42.1 

27.7 

41.9 

34.7 
9.2 

Washington  Department  of  Labor. 
Food,  groceries 

Food,  meat  and  fish 

Fuel 



Total 

$8.10 

$10.97 

35.6 

»  See  Part  II,  Chapter  III. 
2  See  Part  II.  Chapter  III. 
'Denotes  decrease. 


29 


30 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


The  food  cost  as  shown  by  the  Canadian  budget  in  1917,  amounted' 
on  an  annual  basis  to  $607.36;  in  the  Washington  budget  to  $513.24. 
Assuming  that  the  food  cost  was  40  per  cent  of  the  total  outlays  of  the 
families  from  which  data  were  secured,  the  total  annual  budget  for  an 
average  workingman's  family  in  Canada  would  have  cost  as  far  back  as 
last  August,  $1,518.40,  and  in  the  State  of  Washington,  $1,283.10. 

In  1911,  the  Canadian  budget,  which  is  representative  of  American 
conditions,  according  to  this  basis  of  calculation,  would  have  cost  $751, 
and  $1,039  in  1914.  In  other  words,  an  average  family  in  Canada, 
in  1911,  would  have  required  double  its  income  to  maintain  the  same 
standard  of  living  in  August,  1917.  Assuming  that  the  food  and  fuel 
cost  of  the  Washington  budget  was  45  per  cent  of  the  whole,  the  total 
cost  of  this  budget  in  1914  would  have  been  $936,  or  $347.10  less  than 
in  1917. 

In  October,  1917,  Inspector  Graef,  of  the  Department  of  Health, 
New  York  City,  made  a  careful  comparison  of  the  costs  of  the  various 
elements  in  a  standard,  palatable  weekly  dietary  for  a  family  of  five  in 
the  largest  cities  of  the  United  States.^  The  results  of  his  study  in 
terms  of  weekly  and  annual  expenditures  for  food,  by  leading  cities,  was 
as  follows: 


Kind  of  food. 

New  York 
City. 

Average  of 

24  cities 
throughout 

U.S. 

Boston. 

Chicago. 

New 
Orleans. 

San 
Francisco. 

Canned  goods 

$0,185 
2.943 

.690 

.515 
3.340 

.665 
3.229 

.110 

$0,177 
3.144 

.650 

.570 
3.343 

.673 
2.717 

.110 

$0,180 
2.202 

.670 

.515 
3.925 

.765 
2.834 

.110 

$0,200 
3.153 

.626 

.537 
3.165 

.685 
2.834 

.110 

$0,200 
3.022 

.625 

.540 
2.801 

.660 
2 .  409 

.110 

$0,150 
2.902 

.605 

.581 
2.950 

.582 
2.284 

.110 

Cereals 

Dried  fruits 

Dairy  products 

Vegetables 

Condiments. 

Total  weekly  cost  of  food 
budget 

$12,953 
673.40 

$12,685 
659.36 

$12,451 
647.40 

$12,593 
654.68 

$11,929 
619.36 

$11,460 
595.92 

Annual  cost 

The  annual  cost  of  this  minimum  food  diet  for  a  family  of  five  ranges, 
as  it  will  be  noted,  from  $595.92  in  San  Francisco  to  $673.40  in  New 
York  City.  The  average  of  24  cities  throughout  the  United  States  was 
$659.36,  which  would  be  representative  of  an  annual  income  of  $1,500 
to  $1,600. 


See  Part  II.  Chapter  III. 


2.— A  MINIMUM  MONTHLY  DIET  AND  ITS  COST. 

The  cost  of  a  minimum  monthly  diet  upon  which  health  can  be  main- 
tained by  a  family  of  five  has  been  estimated  by  Professor  Jaffa,  of  the 
University  of  California,  at  $45.32  per  month,  or  $543.84  annually. 
The  cost  of  this  diet  he  shows  has  advanced  from  $27.09  a  month  in 
1912,  and  $29.66  a  month  in  1914,  to  $45.32  in  1917,  an  increase  of  67 
per  cent  in  the  ten  years,  1907-1917.  The  detailed  statement  of  this 
diet  and  its  increase  in  cost,  is  as  follows: 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


31 


TABLE  SHOWING  INCREASE  IN  COST  OF  FOOD  FROM 
MAY,  1907,  TO  MAY,  1917. 

MINIMUM  DIET  ON  WHICH  HEALTH  CAN  BE  MAINTAINED  FOR  A  WORKINGMAN.  HIS 
WIFE  AND  THREE  CHILDREN  BETWEEN  FOUR  AND  FOURTEEN  YEARS  OF  AGE. 


Food  materials. 

Food  and  cost  for  one  month. 

Pounds. 

1907. 

1912. 

1916. 

1917. 

Class  I— 

50 

120 

6 

8 

60 

17 

4 

10 

35 
55 
50 

8 
10 

25 

2 

$5 .  75 

4.80 

.81 

.40 

1.88 
.49 
.28 
.60 

.70 
1.38 
2.25 

2.29 
1.35 

1.38 

.73 
2.00 

$7.25 

4.80 

1.12 

.40 

1.92 

.77 
.32 
.60 

1.05 
1.65 
2.50 

2.55 
1.90 

1.53 

1.00 
2.30 

$8.00 

4.80 

1.08 

.40 

1.92 

1.02 

.32 

.60 

1.05 
1.65 
2.50 

2.40 
2.00 

1.75 

1.00 
2.50 

$10.00 
6,00 
1.56 
1.60 

4.80 

1.36 

.50 

.83 

2.17 
1.65 
2.50 

3.60 
2.50 

2.25 

1.00 
3.00 

Milk 

Beans 

Class  II— 

Cereals 

Rice 

Class  Ill- 
Potatoes 

Vegetables 

Fruits 

Class  IV— 

Butter 

Oils  and  fats       

Class  V— 

Extras — 

Coflfee  and  tea     

$27.09 

$29.66 

$32.99 

$45.32 

Sundries  include  yeast,  corn  starch,  cocoa,  cheese,  syrup,  salt,  etc. 


3.— TENTATIVE  BUDGET  OF  PHILADELPHIA  BUREAU  OF 
MUNICIPAL  RESEARCH. 

On  December  20,  1917,  the  Bureau  of  Municipal  Research  of  the  City 
of  Philadelphia,  which  was  organized  to  promote  efficient  and  scientific 
management  of  municipal  business,  submitted  a  tentative  budget  as  a 
minimum  standard  of  living  for  a  workingman's  family.  It  w^as  accom- 
panied by  the  following  statement: 

"A  recent  press  notice  of  the  Patriotic  Education  Society,  in  com- 
menting upon  the  present  labor  situation,  states  that  'the  Government 
must  make  a  comprehensive  studv  of  living  conditions  in  all  sections 
of  the  United  States.  **********  -phen  Gov- 
ernment arbitrators  can  say,  with  real  knowledge  of  conditions,  what  is 
a  fair  day's  pay,  instead  of  basing  their  decision  on  the  argument  of 
might.' 

"The  world  tragedy  now  upon  us  is  forcing  us  to  think  fundamentally 
on  many  issues  that  we  have  been  wont  to  pass  over  superficially.  In 
the  statement  quoted  above  we  have  a  bit  of  fundamental  thinking  on 
the  perennial  issue  of  a  'fair  day's  pay'  that  is  decidedly  encour- 
aging. The  'law  of  supply  and  demand,'  which  has  served  for  so  long 
to  blind  men  to  the  real  social  significance  of  the  wage  question,  is  quietly 


32 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


left  out  of  account  and  'living  conditions'  are  frankly  recognized  as  the 
vital  factor  in  determining  wages.  In  other  words,  we  are  asked  hence- 
forth to  make  the  standard  of  living  that  we  wish  our  citizens  to  maintain 
our  prime  concern  in  dealing  with  labor. 

"The  Bureau  of  Municipal  Research  is  in  hearty  agreement  with  this 
view.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  in  its  endeavor  to  arrive  at  a  'fair  day's 
pay'  for  laborers  employed  in  the  city  government,  it  has  begun  an 
inquiry  into  the  cost  of  living  of  a  workingman's  family  in  Philadelphia. 
As  a  result  of  this  inquiry  it  is  hoped  to  establish  a  standard  of  living, 
expressed  in  actual  goods  and  services,  that  will  enable  a  family  to  live 
in  a  manner  befitting  the  citizens  of  a  great  democracy.     *     *     * 

For  this  purpose  we  are  submitting,  as  a  basis  for  discussion  merely, 
a  tentative  minimum  standard  expressed  mainly,  for  the  sake  of  brevity, 
in  dollars  and  cents.  *  *  *  Since  this  tentative  standard  is  so 
decidedly  the  minimum  on  which  a  family  can  exist,  we  would  be  espe- 
cially pleased  to  have  your  suggestions  take  the  form  of  how  much  more 
ought  to  be  added  to  make  it  a  fair  standard." 

The  budget  submitted  was  as  follows: 

TENTATIVE  MINIMUM  STANDARD  OF  LIVING  FOR  A  FAMILY  OF  FIVE,  COMPOSED  OF 
TWO  ADULTS  AND  THREE  CHILDREN  UNDER  INCOME-EARNING  AGE. 


Housing — $15.00  per  month 

This  provides  from  four  to  six  rooms,  depending  upon  locality. 

Fuel  and  light 

Four  and  one-half  tons  of  coal $  39.38 

Gas 33.80 

Kindling,  matches,  etc 1 .  82 

Food 

Food $581.67 

Ice 8.33 

Clothing 

Health 

For  services  of  physician,  dentist,  oculist  and  nurse,  and  also 
for  surgical  appliances,  drugs,  etc. 

Furniture  and  furnishings 

Replacements  of  towels,  bedding,  dishes,  breakage,  etc. 

Taxes,  dues  and  contributions 

i   To  government,  churches,  patriotic  societies,  etc. 

Recreation,  vacation  and  amusements 

Education  and  reading 

School  expenses $1 .  50 

Newspaper 8 .  84 

Postage  and  stationery .66 

Insurance 

Carfare 

To  and  from  work  and  one  dollar  for  the  rest  of  the  family  for 
the  year. 

Cleaning,  supplies  and  services 

Soap,    washing    material,    brooms,    brushes,    laundry,    etc. — 
thirty-eight  cents  per  week. 

Other  expenses 

Includes  funeral  expenses,  moving  expenses,  tobacco  and  re- 
freshments. 

Total 


$180.00 
75.00 


590.00 


166.00 
27.00 


20.00 
20.00 


15.00 
11.00 


23.40 
32.30 


20.00 
20.30 


$1,200.00 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


33 


4.— REVISIONS  AND  TESTIMONY  OF  SHIPBUILDERS. 

At  a  hearing  held  by  the  Labor  Adjustment  Board  of  the  Emergency 
Fleet  Corporation  in  Philadelphia  during  the  month  of  January,  1918, 
representatives  of  the  shipyards  employees  held  that  the  budget  of  the 
Bureau  of  Municipal  Research  fell  short  of  the  minimum  requirements 
by  $231.30  annually.  They  revised  the  budget  by  additions  to  the  vari- 
ous items  as  follows: 


$240.00 

Fuel  and  light                 

90  00 

Food 

640 . 00 

Clothing     

226  00 

Health 

27.00 

Furniture  and  furnishings 

50 . 00 

Taxes,  etc 

30 . 00 

Education  and  reading 

12.50 

39.00 

Carfare 

36.50 

Cleaning,  supplies,  etc 

Other  expenses >. . 

20.00 

20 . 30 

Total 

SI  431    30 

5.— ANNUAL  BUDGETS  TO  COVER  A  MINIMUM  OF  SUB- 
SISTENCE AND  COMFORT. 

To  maintain  a  minimum  standard  of  comfort — not  only  to  cover  Sub- 
sistence, but  also  the  minimum  requirement  of  education,  recreation, 
and  well-being — according  to  the  most  recent  estimates,  requires  an 
annual  income  or  wage  of  approximately  $1,500.  ^This  is  indicated 
by  the  partial  budgetary  studies  and  estimates  which  have  already  been 
submitted.  The  most  detailed  and  scientific  estimates,  however,  as  to 
this  standard  are  furnished  by  the  budgets  below.  During  the  latter 
half  of  1917,  the  street  railway  employees  of  Tacoma  and  Seattle,  Wash- 
ington, submitted  a  demand  for  higher  wages  to  an  arbitration  board. 
Exhaustive  documentary  and  personal  evidence  was  submitted  as  to  the 
cost  of  maintaining  a  minimum  standard  of  comfort.  On  the  basis  of 
this  estimate,  the  counsel  for  the  employees  prepared  a  budget  for  the 
purpose  of  showing  that  a  minimum  annual  wage  of  $1,917.88  was 
necessary.  The  members  of  the  arbitration  board,  after  their  own 
analysis  of  the  evidence  supplemented  by  an  original  investigation  by 
the  faculty  of  the  Department  of  Economics  of  the  University  of  Wash- 
ington, awarded  the  street  railwaymen  a  budget  of  $1,505.60,  or,  in 
other  words,  it  was  stated  as  the  final  decision  of  the  board  that  an 
annual  wage  of  this  amount  was  necessary,  and  the  hourly  rates  of  pay 
were  fixed  with  the  object  of  yielding  $1,505.60  to  each  employee,  as  a 
minimum. 

This  budgetary  estimate  was  closely  approximated  by  a  contem- 
porary and  independent  study  by  Dr.  Jessica  B.  Peixotto,  of  the  faculty 
of  the  University  of  California.  She  showed  that  $1,476.40  was  re- 
quired annually  under  existing  conditions  to  maintain  a  decent  minimum 
of  comfort  for  an  average  workingman's  family  of  five — husband,  wife, 
and  three  children  under  the  working  age. 

The  details  of  these  three  budgets  are  set  forth  summarily  in  com- 
parative form  in  the  following  table: 

1  See  Part  II,  Chapter  III. 


34 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


ANNUAL  BUDGETS  TO  COVER  A  MINIMUM  OF  SUBSISTENCE  AND  COMFORT  FOR  AN 
AVERAGE  WORKINGMAN'S  FAMILY. 


Items. 


Groceries,  meats  and  fish ^ 

Fuel 

Clothing 

Maintenance  of  household  equipment . 

Education 

Church  and  fraternal  organizations . . . 

Dentistry,  medicines,  etc 

Insurance 

Reading  matter 

Savings 

Gas  (household  use) 

Electric  light 

Rent  and  water 

Street  car  fare 

Tobacco,  ice  cream,  etc 

Incidentals,  stamps,  barber,  etc 

Miscellaneous 

Sundries 


Total. 


Proposed  by- 
Seattle  street 
railway 
employees. 


$540.95 
59.70 

611.87 
60.00 
12.00 
12.00 
60.00 

120.00 
30.00 

120.00 
22.16 
12.00 

180.00 
65.00 
12.20 


$1,917. 


Awarded  by 

Arbitration 

Board  to  Seattle 

employees. 


$533.40 
60.00 
291.50 
40.00 
11.00 
20.00 
60.00 
30.00 

100.00 
20.00 
15.00 

184.00 
35.70 
30.00 
25.00 
20.00 


$1,505.60 


Dr.  Jessica 
B.  Peixotto. 


$540.00 

36.00 

288 . 40 

2132.00 


240 . 00 


270.00 


$1,476.40 


1  Included  in  education. 

2  Includes  household  operation. 


6.— SCIENTIFIC  STUDY  OF  INCREASED  BUDGETARY 

COSTS. 


The  Bankers  Trust  Company  of  New  York,  at  the  close  of  1917, 
made  an  exhaustive  study  of  increased  family  living  costs  as  a  basis  foi 
salary  bonuses  to  its  employees.  The  methods  employed  and  results 
obtained  were  described  in  the  New  York  Times  Annalist  of  January 
14,  1918.  Because  of  their  great  value,  the  article  of  the  Annalist  is 
reproduced  below: 

"How  much  has  the  cost  of  living  increased  since  1915?  How  much 
more  does  the  average  head  of  a  family  pay  now  for  rent,  food  and 
clothing  than  he  did  two  years  ago?  The  question  interests  every 
family  in  the  country,  yet  the  average  man,  or  woman,  knows  little  more 
than  that  expenses  are  rising  faster  than  income  can  keep  pace,  with  the 
result  that  attempts  to  bring  receipts  and  expenditures  into  a  relation 
more  nearly  approaching  that  on  which  family  budgets  were  based  a 
year  or  so  ago  frequently  take  the  form  of  misdirected  efforts  at  economy 
which  must  be  abandoned  when  their  futility,  or  impossibility,  becomes 
apparent. 

''Index  numbers  on  the  cost  of  living,  such  as  are  prepared  weekly  by 
the  Annalist,  by  Bradstreet's,  and  others,  indicate  the  trend  of  prices. 
In  the  case  of  the  Annalist  they  show  the  fluctuations  in  the  average 
wholesale  prices  of  twenty-five  food  commodities  selected  and  arranged 
to  represent  a  theoretical  family's  food  budget.  But  at  best  they  con- 
sider price  changes  as  a  whole  and  afford  no  information  to  the  man  who 
wishes  to  know  the  proportionate  and  relative  increases  in  the  costs  of 
the  items  which  comprise  his  daily  expenditures. 


BUDGETARY    STUDIE§. 


35 


"With  these  points  in  mind,  Seward  Prosser,  President  of  the  Bankers 
Trust  Company,  facing  the  duty  of  apportioning  bonuses  among  his 
employees  to  compensate  them  for  the  increased  cost  of  Hving,  recently 
hit  upon  the  plan  of  enlisting  the  aid  of  those  who  were  to  benefit  by  the 
apportionment  by  requiring  them  to  keep  a  record  of  their  daily  expendi- 
tures so  that  an  actual,  rather  than  a  theoretical,  basis  on  which  to  make 
the  distribution  might  be  obtained. 

"An  account  of  the  operation  of  this  plan  and  the  work  of  the  com- 
mittee that  directed  it  follows,  and  it  is  indicative  of  the  merit  of  the 
index  number  that  the  increase  in  living  cost  for  the  last  six  months  of 
1917  over  1915,  disclosed  by  averaging  tj;ie  actual  records  kept  by  indi- 
vidual members  of  the  staff  of  the  trust  company,  differs  from  the  per- 
centage increase  shown  by  the  Annalist  index  number  by  less  than  a 
single  per  cent.  Accompanying  is  a  chart  prepared  by  the  committee 
to  show  the  'Relative  Average  Price  of  Food  and  Clothing'  for  the  last 
six  months  of  1917  over  the  year  1915. 

"The  first  task  of  the  committee,  of  which  J.  H.  Lewis  was  Chairman, 
with  G.  F.  Trefcer,  C.  O.  Cornell,  Herman  Knoke,  and  Charles  C. 
Gardner  as  associates,  was  to  determine  the  relative  parts  of  his  salary 
which  the  average  bank  clerk  expends  for  rent,  food,  and  clothing.  In 
Chapin's  'New  York  Study'  the  committee  obtained  a  table  which  it 
selected  'as  the  best  available  authority  as  to  proportions  of  salary 
bases  which  are  applicable  to  the  necessities  of  life.'  From  records 
supplied  by  its  own  members  and  other  employees  of  the  trust  company 
the  committee  then  amended  this  table  to  the  standard  of  living  of  the 
trust  company  employees. 


RELATIVE  AVERAGE  PRICE  OF  FOOD  AND  CLOTHING. 


1 

1 

1315 

1      iii^iua 

fncrease  over /$f5 

1 

^^^^^^^^^^^■^62^^^^^^^^^^^^|h 

Origmali 

':om 

tiiteeJSasi 

5 

1      [                     ^  j    _ 

1 

■||H|||^|9ai^ri|||HHB  Re^dedCommUitceasL 

9^ 

~4 

■BIBIiiSlHHIl 

1 

^datrKtsdrnpli 

xtth 

idcx 

1           mm            E 

^eAmal^tkidexMtmbtr 

♦  Based,  upon  Bra.d^ireets  prices  for  sbbso/uiely 
essentia,/  commodet/es 

36 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 
PERCENTAGE  PRICE  INCREASE. 


"A" 

"B" 

"C" 

"D" 

"E" 

"F" 

Fresh  vegetables: 

Potatoes                          

35.0 

172.0 

165.0 
98.0 
181.0 
103.0 
163.0 

127.0 
177.0 
122.0 
122.0 

122.0 
136.0 

Cabbage              

Beans        

Grains: 

Wheat 

Corn             

Barley                                  

Raw  material:                                                , 

Wool              

Meats: 

44.0 
48.0 
50.0 
57.0 
45.0 
78.0 
90.0 
88.0 

52.2 
48.0 
71.5 
45.7 

50.0 

37.0 

Plate  roast                          .        .    •  • 

49.5 
91.0 

84.0 
69.0 

Ham  

Pork  loin 

93.0 

'■82.0" 

103.0 

38.0 

69.6 

Hogs 

Beef        

Groceries — canned  goods: 
Beans 

64.9 
160.9 
104.6 

146.0 
90.0 

Ul.O 

127.0 
66.0 
58.0 

128.0 
63.0 

87.0 
51.0 
51.0 

Peas 

Tomatoes                              

174.0 
75.9 
69.6 

Peaches 

Pineapples           

Staples: 

Flour 

85.2 
45.7 
49.4 
53.9 

99.0 
58.0 
64.0 

Sugar           

Butter 

35.0 

Cheese 

Rice                                        

59.0 
55.0 
140.0 
16.0 
21.0 
66.0 

Eggs 

54.0 
83.0 

28.0 

lIS              

Coffee 

Tea 

Bread 

100.0 

55.0 

180.0 

Milk 

22.0 

Cornmeal          

Fabrics,  etc.: 

Table  linen 

195.0 
56.0 
47.0 
49.0 
50.0 

110.0 
50.0 

Women's  stockings,  three-quarter  silk 

Shoes   

Men's  underwear,  cotton 

BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 
PER  CENTS  OF  SALARY  EXPENDED  FOR 


37 


Salary. 

Committee  Table 

Chapin's  Table 

Food. 

Clothing. 

Rent. 

Food. 

Clothing. 

Rent. 

Bases. 

$500- $599 

P.  C. 
45 
45 
45 
45 
45 
45 
45 
45 

44K 
44 
43K 
43 

42K 
42 

41K 
40 
38M 
37 
37 
35 

P.  C. 

12.4 

12.9 

13.4 

14 

14.6 

15.5 

15.5 

17 

17.2 

17.4 

17.6 

17.8 

18 

18.2 

18.5 

18.8 

19.1 

19.7 

20 

20 

P.  C. 

25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
25 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
23 
23 
22 
21 
"      20 
20 

P.  C. 
44.4 
44.6 
45.6 
44.3 
44.7 
44.7 
45.6 
45.0 
43.6 
36.8 

P.  C. 
12.4 
12.9 
13.4 
14.0 
14.6 
15.5 
14.9 
15.2 
13.7 
16.8 

P.  C. 
25.9 
23.6 
21.9 
20.7 
19.0 
18.1 
16.2 
19.8 
16.8 
16.3 

600-    699          

700-    799 

800-    899    

900-    999 

1,000-1,099 

1  100-1  199 

1,200-1,299 

1,300-1,399 

1,400-1,499 

1  500-1  599 

1  600-1  699 

1  700-1  799 

1  800-1  899 

1  900-1  999 

2  000-2  099 

2  100-2  299 

2  300-2  399 

2  400-2  499 

?  'JOO  nnH   tin 

"With  this  as  a  basis  the  committee  set  about  determining  the  actual 
percentage  increase  in  the  cost  of  food,  rent,  and  clothing.  An  increase 
of  10  per  cent  over  the  cost  in  1915  was  considered  representative  of  the 
rise  in  the  cost  of  rent,  including  fuel.  To  fix  the  increase  in  the  price  of 
food  and  clothing  the  committee  employed  the  Annalist  and  Bradstreet 
indexes,  supplemented  by  data  furnished  by  committee  members  and 
other  employees,  and  by  figures  reported  by  trade  and  Government  pub- 
lications. 

"From  these  sources  the  accompanying  table  was  drawn  up  showing 
the  percentage  increase  in  the  cost  of  fresh  vegetables,  grains,  raw  ma- 
terials, meats,  groceries,  staples,  and  fabrics.  Where  possible,  com- 
parisons were  made  for  the  whole  year  1915  and  the  last  half  of  1917. 
In  some  instances,  however,  prices  for  given  periods  in  1915  had  to  be 
compared  with  prices  for  periods  in  1917.  The  *A'  column  was  derived 
from  American  Grocer  prices  to  jobbers,  the  'B'  column  from  a  chain- 
store  organization,  the  *C'  column  from  the  United  States  Labor  Bureau 
in  New  York,  the  '  D '  column  from  The  Butchers'  and  Packers'  Gazette, 
the  *E'  column  from  a  department  store,  and  the  'F'  column  from 
monthly  crop  reports  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture. 

"For  the  purposes  of  the  committee  it  was  assumed  that  the  increase 
in  living  cost  began  to  show  alarming  proportions  in  July,  1916,  and  the 
greatest  compensation  was  apportioned  to  those  who  had  been  in  the 
service  of  the  company  prior  to  that  date,  the  amounts  being  propor- 
tionately reduced  for  lesser  terms  of  employment.  Although  their  in- 
vestigations showed  that  the  increase  was  slightly  more,  the  committee 
took  80  per  cent  as  a  basis  on  which  to  make  its  adjustments  and  the 
trust  company  afterward  authorized  its  findings.     On  this  scale  tables 


38 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


were  prepared  showing  the  approximated  percentages  of  compensation 
to  salary,  and  the  actual  amounts,  at  various  salary  bases  and  for  varying 
terms  of  service,  necessary  to  offset  the  increased  cost  of  living  for  the 
six  months  ended  last  year.  The  percentages  for  those  employed  prior 
to  July  1,  1916,  are  given  here: 


Annual  salary  bases. 

Percentage, 
Inc. 

$500- $5Q9    . . 

48.4 
48.8 
49.2 
49.7 
50.2 
50.9 
50.9 
52.0 
51.8 
51.5 
51.2 
51.0 
50.8 
50.6 
50.3 
49.3 
48.3 
48.3 
47.5 
47.6 
* 

600-    699 

700-    799 

800-    899 

900-    999 

1,000-1,099        .      .             

1,100-1,199 

1,200-1,299    

1,300-1,399 

1,400-1,499 

1,500-1,599 

1,600-1,699 

1,700-1,799 

1,800-1,899 

1.900-1,999 

2  000-2  099 

2,100-2,199 

2,200-2,299             .... 

2,300-2,399 

2,400-2,499      

2,500  and  up. ." 

*A  fixed  sum  of  $575. 


"These 'percentages  were  arrived  at  as  follows:  Taking  the  case  of 
an  employee  receiving  $2,000  a  year  salary,  it  was  found  by  reference  to 
the  amended  Chapin  table  that  he  spent  40  per  cent  of  his  salary,  or 
$800  a  year,  for  food;  18.8  per  cent,  or  S376  a  year,  for  clothing, 
and  23  per  cent,  or  $460  a  year,  for  rent.  Figuring  an  80  per 
cent  increase  in  the  cost  of  food  and  clothing,  it  was  assumed 
that  this  man  spent  $940.80  additional  for  these  items,  and,  allowing  for 
a  10  per  cent  increase  in  rent,  added  $46  more,  a  total  of  $986.80  for  the 
year,  or  $493.40  for  the  last  six  months  of  the  year,  a  percentage  of  49.34 
of  his  salary. 

"The  conclusions  of  this  banking  committee  are  probably  applicable 
to  a  large  share  of  the  community  whose  manner  of  living  compares  to 
that  of  the  investigators,  and  their  findings  are  of  interest  even  to  the  man 
who  cannot  look  forward  to  the  receipt  of  a  bonus  to  cover  his  increased 
expenses.  At  least  he  can  discover  the  sources  from  which  come  thf 
strongest  attacks  on  his  income  and,  so  far  as  these  may  be  offset  by 
hard-practiced  economy,  the  committee  findings  offer  him  a  guide  where 
best  to  aim  his  efforts. 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES.  39 

|7.— CHANGES  IN  THE  STANDARD  OF  LIVING  IN  THE  DISTRICT 
OF  COLUMBIA  AS  AFFECTED  BY  THE  INCREASED 
*       COST  OF  LIVING 

The  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  has  made  comparable  studies  of  the 
cost  of  living  in  the  District  of  Columbia  for  widely  separate  years, 
namely,  1901  and  1916.  The  study  for  1901  is  contained  in  its  Eighteenth 
Annual  Report  of  the  cost  of  living,  which  appeared  in  1904,  and  forms 
part  of  the  larger  study  for  the  whole  United  States  for  that  period. 
The  second  was  made  in  1916  and  the  results  of  the  investigation  pub- 
lished in  the  1917  issue  of  the  Monthly  Review  for  October,  November 
and  December. 

The  study  applies  to  the  average-sized  family  of  a  wife,  husband  and 
three  children.  The  families  in  each  case  are  divided  into  certain  well 
marked  income  groups.  It  is  possible  to  compare  expenditures  for 
different  items  of  expenditures  made  by  the  families  in  similar  income 
groups  in  1901  and  1916.  The  first  table  below  shows  the  actual  amounts 
expended  for  the  items  of  food,  clothing,  rent,  fuel  and  lighting  and 
sundries  for  each  group  of  families  in  five  different  income  classes. 

Table  1  below  shows  the  actual  expenses,  and  Table  2  the  percentage 
distribution  of  the  same  items  of  expenditures. 

Taking  the  income  group  in  which  the  families  earn  $1100  and  under 
$1200  per  year,  it  appears  that  in  1900,  families  of  that  amount  of  in- 
come spent  40.3  per  cent  for  food,  while  in  1916  they  were  compelled  to 
spend  42.5  per  cent  of  their  income  for  food.  The  families  of  1916, 
presumably  because  of  the  increased  cost  of  necessities,  such  as  food, 
had  only  9  per  cent  to  spend  for  clothing  as  against  13.8  per  cent  in 
1900,  and  21.4  per  cent  for  sundries  such  as  insurance,  club  dues,  amuse- 
ments, in  a  word,  the  "cultural  wants,' '  as  against  23  per  cent  for  families 
in  1900.  Families  in  1917  were  compelled  to  increase  their  expenditures 
for  fuel  and  lighting  to  6.9  per  cent  of  their  budget  over  5.1  per  cent 
in  1900. 

Similar  changes  of  the  ones  outlined  above  for  the  income  class  $1100 
and  under  $1200  per  annum  are  shown  in  all  the  other  income  groups. 
There  is  clearly  evident  a  reduction  in  the  standard  of  living  in  1916> 
over  1900  for  similar  income  groups. 


40 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


TABLE  1. 

ACTUAL  AMOUNT  EXPENDED  FOR  DIFFERENT  ITEMS  OF  EXPENDITURES  BY  FAMI- 
LIES IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA,  CLASSIFIED  BY  INCOME  GROUPS, 
IN  THE  YEARS  OF  1900  AND   1917. 


ITEMS 

$800  and 
under  $900 

$900  and 
under  $1000 

$1000  and 
under $1100 

$1100  and 
under  $1200 

$1200  and 
over 

1901 

1916 

1901 

1916 

1901 

1916 

1901 

1916 

1901 

1916 

Food 

$303 

$370 

$345 

$406 

$494 

$418 

$494 

$445 

$504 

Clothing 

107 

75 

109 

88 



104 

143 

104 

199 

121 

Rent 

131 

187 

142 

214 

235 

185 

235 

179 

258 

Fuel  and  light. . 

45 

59 

44 

67 

80 

52 

80 

57 

79 

Sundries 

148 

172 

237 

184 

249 

238 

249 

321 

268 

Total 

$734 

$863 

$877 

$959 

$1162 

$1036 

$1162 

$1201 

$1230 

TABLE  2. 

PER  CENT  OF  EXPENDITURES  EXPENDED  FOR  DIFFERENT  ITEMS  OF  EXPENDI- 
TURES BY  FAMILIES  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA,  CLASSIFIED  BY 
INCOME  GROUPS,  IN  THE  YEARS  OF  1901  AND  1916 


ITEMS 

$800  and 
under  $900 

$900  and 
under $1000 

$1000  and 
under  $1100 

$1100  and 
under  $1200 

$1200  and 
over 

1901 

1916 

1901 

1916 

1901 

1916 

1901 

1916 

1901 

1916 

Food 

41.3 

42.9 

39.3 

42.3 

42.5 

40.3 

42.5 

37.0 

41.0 

Clothing 

14.6 

8.7 

12.4 

9.2 



8.9 

13.8 

9 

16.6 

9.8 

Rent 

17.8 

21.7 

16.2 

22.3 

20.2 

17.8 

20.2 

14.9 

21.0 

Fuel  and  light..  . 

6.1 

6.8 

5.0 

7. 

7.0 

5.1 

6.9 

4.8 

6.4 

Sundries 

20.2 

19.9 

27.0 

19.2 

21.4 

23. 

21.4 

26.7 

21.8 

Total 

100. 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

PART    II 


OFFICIAL,  DOCUMENTARY  AND  OTHER  AUTHORI 

ITATIVE  DATA  RELATIVE  TO   PRICES,  FAMILY 
BUDGETS,  AND  INCREASED  LIVING  COSTS. 


41 


CHAPTER  I 


RETAIL  PRICES 
1.— SCOPE     OF     STUDY    AND    METHOD    OF    OBTAINING 
PRICES  BY  UNITED  STATES  BUREAU  OF  LABOR 
STATISTICS. 


The  United  States  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  since  the  year  1907 
has  published  annual  returns  as  to  retail  prices  in  the  principal  cities  of 
the  country.  From  these  data  have  also  been  worked  out  relative  prices 
for  the  principal  articles  of  foodstuffs  for  the  country  as  a  whole. 

According  to  the  preliminary  statement  of  the  last  annual  report 
there  are  sent  to  the  Bureau  from  46  of  the  most  important  industrial 
cities  in  the  various  sections  of  the  United  States,  returns  as  to  retail 
prices  of  the  principal  articles  of  food,  the  weight  and  prices  of  the 
principal  brands  of  wheat  bread,  the  retail  prices  of  articles  of  dry  goods, 
the  retail  prices  of  anthracite  and  bituminous  coal,  and  of  gas  for  house- 
hold use.  "Data  are  furnished  to  the  Bureau,"  the  report  states, 
"by  approximately  725  retail  stores,  150  bakeries,  215  retail  coal  dealers, 
66  gas  companies,  and  205  dry-goods  companies. 

"Excellent  results  have  followed  the  use  of  the  form  books  for  report- 
ing prices.  Over  90  per  cent  of  the  reports  f-or  January  to  December, 
1916,  requested  from  retail  merchants,  dairymen  and  bakers  were  re- 
ceived. A  number  of  merchants  have  also  stated  that  the  stub  record 
of  prices  was  of  considerable  value  to  them,  as  it  is  an  easy  method  of 
preserving  a  record  of  prices  each  month  from  year  to  year.  In  several 
cities  practically  every  report  requested  from  merchants,  dairymen, 
and  bakers  has  been  received  each  month.  This  is  notably  true  for 
Atlanta,  Baltimore,  Indianapolis,  New  York,  Pittsburgh,  and  St.  Louis. 
Almost  every  coal  firm,  gas  company,  and  dry-goods  merchant  from 
whom  price  statements  were  requested  has  also  responded  to  the  request. 

"The  46  cities  included  in  this  report  are  important  industrial  cities, 
representing  33  States.  In  a  general  way  the  city  selected  in  each  sec- 
tion of  the  country  was  the  city  having  the  largest  population  in  that 
section;  but,  in  addition,  six  smaller  cities  were  included  as  being  in- 
dustrially important  in  those  sections.  The  six  cities  are  Bridgeport, 
Conn.;  Butte,  Mont.;  El  Paso,  Tex.;  Fall  River,  Mass.;  Scranton,  Pa.; 
and  Springfield,  111. 

43 


44  RETAIL   PRICES. 


"Within  the  46  cities  live  one-fifth  of  the  total  number  of  people, 
two-fifths  of  the  urban  population,  and  approximately  one- third  of  thdj| 
total  number  engaged  in  gainful  occupations   (not  including  those  in| 
agricultural  pursuits)  in  continental  United  States." 

2.— INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  ALL 
ARTICLES  OF  FOOD,  1907-1917. 

Taking  the  retail  prices  of  the  15  articles  of  food  as  a  whole  for  which 
returns  are  secured,  the  Bureau  has  constructed,  according  to  the 
relative  articles  of  foodstuffs  in  the  budget  of  a  typical  workingman's 
family,  an  index  number  of  retail  prices  for  the  ten  years,  1907-1917. 
The  results  of  these  computations  are  set  forth  in  the  table  below, 
which  shows  by  years  the  index  numbers  of  retail  prices  of  food,  1907- 
1916,  and,  by  months,  January-October,  1917. 


INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOOD,  1907  TO  OCTOBER,  1917. 

Retail  Prices 

Year  of  Food. 

1907 100 

1908 103 

1909 108 

1910 113 

1911 112 

1912 119 

1913 122 

1914 125 

1915 123 

1916 139 

January,  1917 156 

February,  1917 162 

March,  1917 162 

April,  1917 177 

May,  1917 184 

June,  1917 185 

July,  1917 178 

August,  1917 181 

September,  1917 187 

October,  1917 192 

3.— AVERAGE  AND  RELATIVE  PRICES  OF  FIFTEEN 
ARTICLES  OF  FOOD,  1912-1917. 

The  table  next  presented  shows  both  the  average  and  relative  prices 
of  27  principal  foodstuffs  by  years,  1912-1916,  and  for  October,  1917. 
It  has  been  compiled  from  the  records  of  the  United  States  Bureau  of 
Labor  Statistics. 


RETAIL   PRICES. 


45 


AVERAGE  AND  RELATIVE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FIFTEEN  PRINCIPAL  ARTICLES 
OF  FOOD.  BY  YEARS  AND  BY  ARTICLES.  1912-1917 


Article. 


Unit. 


Average  Money  Price,  September  IS. 


1912 


1913 


1914 


1915 


1916 


Sirloin  steak 

RoundSteak 

Rib  roast 

Chuckroast 

Plate  beef 

Pork  chops 

Bacon 

Ham 

Lard 

Hens 

Salmon,  canned .... 

Eggs 

Butter 

Cheese 

Milk 

Bread 

Flour 

Corn  meal 

Rice 

Potatoes 

Onions 

Beans,  navy 

Prunes 

Raisins,  seeded 

Sugar 

Coffee 

Tea 

All  articles  combined 


Lb 

Lb 

I A 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Doz 

Lb 

Lb 

Qt 

16  oz.  loaf! 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb. 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 


$0 


246 
208 
191 
179 
131 

220 
255 
253 
154 
203 


349 
359 


086 


034 
031 


016 


062 


$0,262 
.233 
.199 


.227 
.281 
.282 
,161 
.215 


.375 
.378 


.089 


.033 
.031 


.019 


.057 


$0,270 
.247 
.208 
.179 
.131 

.236 
.290 
.291 
.156 
.219 


368 
378 

089 

057 
037 
033 

018 


$0,265 
.238 
.204 
.165 
.123 

.225 
.270 
.262 
.138 
.208 

.198 
.349 
.335 
.227 
.088 

.062 
.038 
.033 
.091 
.014 

.030 
.076 
.135 
.125 
.065 

.299 
.546 


$0,284 
.257 
.218 
.177 
.131 

.261 
.296 
.332 
.222 
.243 

.202 
.413 
.390 
.230 
.091 

.068 
.048 
.034 
.091 
.028 

.046 
.121 
.134 
.129 
.077 

.299 
.546 


Article. 


Sirloin  steak 

Round  steak 

Rib  roast 

Chuck  roast 

Plate  beef 

Pork  chops 

Bacon 

Ham 

Lard 

Hens 

Salmon,  canned .... 

Eggs 

Butter 

Cheese 

Milk 

Bread 

Flour 

Corn  meal 

Rice 

Potatoes 

Onions 

Beans,  navy 

Prunes 

Raisins,  seeded 

Sugar 

Coffee 

Tea 

All  articles  combined 


Unit. 


Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Doz 

Lb 

Lb 

Qt 

16  oz. loaf 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 


Relative  Price,  September  15. 


90 
85 
90 
104 
102 

97 
89 
86 
88 
86 


95 


61 


77 
86 


1913 


100 
98 
96 
92 
91 


100 
96 


98 


74 
91 


71 


1914 


99 
101 

98 
104 
102 

104 

101 

99 

89 

93 


1915 


98 
93 
85 
88 
97 

96 
87 
96 
100 
51 

61 

69 

101 

97 

81 

100- 

100 

89 


1916 


104 
105 
103 
103 
102 

115 
103 
113 
127 
103 

100 

110 

99 

89 

100 

105 
110 
100 
100 
104 

94 
110 
100 
100 

96 
100 
100 
104 


116  ounces,  weight  of  dough. 


46 


RETAIL   PRICES. 


The  table  which  is  next  submitted  supplements  the  preceding  tabh 
and  carries  the  comparison  as  to  prices  back  to  1907.  It  shows  relativ< 
retail  prices  of  27  leading  articles  of  food  by  years  for  the  period  1907 
1916,  and  by  months  from  January,  1912,  up  to  and  including  Sep 
tember,  1917. 

RELATIVE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOODSTUFFS,  BY  YEARS,  1907-1916  AND  BY 

MONTHS,  JANUARY   1912-SEPTEMBER  1917. 

(Compiled  from  the  Reports  of  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics.) 

[Average  price  for  1916=100.] 


Year  or  month. 


1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1912. 

January . .  . 
February.. 
March .  .  . . 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 
October .  .  . 
November, 
December . 

1913. 

January. . . 
February . 
March .  .  . . 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August. . .  , 
September 
October .  . , 
November 
December . 

1914. 

January . . , 
February . , 
March .  . . , 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August.  .  . 
September 
October . . . 
November, 
December . 


Sir- 

loin 

Round 

Rib 

steak. 

steak. 

roast. 

66 

62 

71 

68 

65 

73 

71 

67 

76 

75 

71 

79 

75 

72 

79 

85 

81 

87 

93 

91 

93 

95 

96 

96 

94 

94 

94 

100 

100 

100 

76 

73 

79 

76 

73 

80 

78 

74 

81 

81 

78 

85 

87 

83 

90 

88 

85 

92 

89 

85 

91 

91 

86 

92 

90 

85 

90 

88 

84 

89 

86 

82 

88 

86 

82 

87 

87 

84 

88 

88 

84 

89 

90 

87 

91 

93 

91 

94 

94 

91 

94 

95 

92 

95 

97 

95 

95 

97 

95 

95 

96 

95 

94 

94 

95 

94 

93 

93 

93 

92 

92 

94 

92 

93 

93 

93 

93 

94 

93 

94 

94 

93 

94 

95 

95 

95 

95 

96 

97 

96 

99 

100 

98 

102 

103 

101 

99 

101 

98 

96 

97 

97 

93 

96 

96 

94 

94 

94 

i    Plate 
Chuck  !  boiling       Pork 
roast,    i     beef.        Chops. 


Bacon. 

Ham. 

Lard. 

70 

69 

73 

72 

71 

73 

78 

75 

81 

89 

84 

94 

86 

82 

80 

85 

83 

84 

94 

92 

90 

96 

93 

89 

94 

89 

84 

100 

100 

100 

81 

79 

78 

80 

79 

78 

80 

79 

78 

82 

81 

80 

84 

83 

84 

84 

83 

85 

85 

84 

85 

85 

84 

86 

•  89 

86 

88 

91 

86 

91 

91 

86 

91 

90 

85 

90 

89 

86 

88 

89 

86 

88 

91 

89 

89 

93 

90 

90 

94 

91 

90 

95 

93 

90 

97 

96 

91 

98 

97 

92 

98 

96 

92 

97 

94 

91 

95 

92 

91 

93 

90 

90 

92 

90 

90 

92 

90 

90 

93 

90 

89 

93 

91 

89 

93 

91 

89 

94 

92 

88 

95 

95 

88 

100 

99 

89 

101 

99 

89 

100 

96 

89 

98 

93 

89 

97 

91 

88 

RETAIL   PRICES. 


47 


RELATIVE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOODSTUFFS,  BY  YEARS,  1907-1916  AND  BY 
MONTHS,  JANUARY  1912-SEPTEMBER  1917— Continued. 
[Average  price  for  1916=100.] 


Year  or  month. 


Sir- 

Plate 

loin 

Round 

Rib 

Chuck 

boiling 

Pork 

Bacon. 

Ham. 

Lard. 

steak. 

steak. 

roast. 

roast. 

beef. 

chops. 

93 

93 

94 

95 

97 

82 

95 

90 

88 

91 

91 

93 

94 

96 

79 

93 

88 

87 

90 

90 

92 

93 

95 

78 

92 

87 

87 

92 

91 

93 

93 

95 

87 

92 

86 

86 

94 

94 

94 

95 

96 

92 

92 

87 

86 

96 

96 

96 

96 

96 

91 

93 

89 

86 

97 

98 

97 

97 

96 

93 

94 

90 

83 

97 

97 

96 

97 

96 

95 

94 

89 

80 

97 

97 

96 

96 

96 

99 

94 

89 

79 

95 

95 

95 

96 

95 

102 

95 

90 

82 

94 

93 

94 

94 

94 

92 

95 

91 

83 

92 

92 

93 

93 

93 

81 

95 

92 

83 

94 

93 

94 

94 

94 

82 

95 

100 

100 

94 

93 

95 

94 

.  95 

85 

95 

101 

101 

96 

95 

97 

96 

97 

96 

96 

103 

104 

99 

98 

99 

100 

100 

99 

98 

106 

107 

102 

102 

102 

102 

102 

101 

99 

108 

115 

105 

106 

105 

106 

105 

102 

100 

109 

117 

105 

106 

104 

104 

103 

103 

101 

110 

119 

104 

105 

103 

103 

101 

107 

102 

111 

120 

104 

105 

103 

103 

102 

115 

103 

113 

127 

101 

101 

100 

101 

101 

109 

104 

113 

132 

99 

99 

99 

99 

100 

103 

104 

113 

146 

98 

98 

99 

98 

100 

98 

104 

113 

148 

101 

101 

102 

101 

103 

104 

103 

104 

122 

105 

106 

106 

108 

110 

115 

107 

108 

125 

108 

109 

110 

112 

114 

123 

116 

115 

136 

116 

118 

119 

123 

126 

135 

133 

124 

151 

118 

121 

121 

127 

130 

135 

145 

132 

159 

120 

123 

123 

129 

133 

136 

148 

133 

160 

120 

125 

121 

127 

129 

139 

149 

135 

157 

121 

126 

120 

126 

134 

152 

150 

134 

158 

122 

121 

122 

127 

127 

171 

154 

139 

169 

1915. 

January. . , 

February . , 
March ... 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August. . .  . 
September 
October.  .  . 
November, 
December . 

1916. 

January. .  . 
February . . 
March .  .  .  . 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August. . .  . 
September 
October .  .  . 
November. 
December . 


1917. 

January. . , 
February. , 
March .  .  . . 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August.. . . 
September 


48 


RETAIL   PRICES. 


RELATIVE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOODSTUFFS.  BY  YEARS.  1907-1916  AND  BY 

MONTHS,  JANUARY  1912-SEPTEMBER  1917=Continued. 

[Average  price  for  1916 — 100.] 


Year  or  month. 

Hens. 

Sal- 
mon, 
canned. 

Eggs. 

Butter. 

Cheese. 

Milk. 

Biead. 

Flour. 

Com 

meal. 

1907 

74 
75 
80 
85 
82 
84 
90 
92 
88 
100 

81 
82 
85 
87 
87 
84 
84 
85 
86 
85 
83 
83 

86 
88 
91 
94 
94 
93 
92 
91 
91 
90 
87 
88 

90 
94 
95 
98 
96 
93 
93 
94 
93 
91 
87 
85 

■"■98" 
100 



77 
79 
85 
90 
86 
91 
92 
94 
91 
100 

117 

107 

73 

70 

69 

70 

76 

82 

93 

104 

120 

112 

99 

84 

70 

67 

70 

74 

80 

88 

100 

111 

132 

127 

116 

97 

82 

68 

71 

75 

80 

89 

98 

104 

120 

127 

83 
83 
88 
91 
85 
95 
97 
92 
91 
100 

109 
100 
94 
95 
92 
86 
85 
86 
91 
95 
99 
105 

104 

105 

105 

103 

91 

89 

88 

90 

96 

97 

98 

101 

101 
91 
89 
83 
83 
85 
87 
92 
96 
95 
100 
100 

■■■*96" 

100 







85 
88 
89 
93 
94 
95 
98 
98 
97 
100 

95 
95 
95 
95 
94 
94 
94 
95 
95 
97 
98 
98 

98 
98 
98 
97 
97 
97 
97 
97 
98 
99 
100 
100 

100 
100 
99 
98 
98 
97 
97 
98 
98 
99 
99 
99 

96 
100 



85 
85 
85 
85 
85 
85 
85 
86 
87 
88 
88 
89 

71 
75 
81 
80 
76 
78 
74 
77 
93 
100 

77 
77 
77 
78 
81 
82 
81 
79 
78 
77 
76 
74 

74 
75 
74 
74 
75 
75 
75 
74 
74 
74 
74 
73 

73 
73 
74 
74 
74 
73 
73 
79 
84 
83 
83 
84 

78 
82 
83 
84 
84 
90 
89 
93 
96 
100 

87 
87 
87 
89 
•  92 
92 
92 
92 
92 
92 
91 
89 

88 
87 
87 
87 
87 
87 
87 
88 
91 
92 
92 
92 

92 
92 
91 
91 
92 
92 
92 
93 
97 
97 
96 
95 

1908 

1909      .  . 

1910 

1911   

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916  

1912. 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July      

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

1913. 

January 

February 

March 

April ........ 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September .... 

October 

November 

December 

1914. 

January 

February 

March 

April... 

May 

July  

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

RETAIL   PRICES. 


49 


RELATIVE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOODSTUFFS,  BY  YEARS,  1907-1916  AND  BY 

MONTHS,  JANUARY  1912-SEPTEMBER  1917— Continued. 

[Average  price  for  1916=100.] 


Year  or  month. 


Sal- 

Hens. 

mon, 
canned. 

Eggs. 

Butter. 

Cheese. 

Milk. 

Bread. 

Flour. 

Corn 
meal- 

86 

98 

118 

98 

90 

99 

92 

92 

97 

88 

98 

90 

96 

91 

98 

97 

102 

98 

90 

98 

68 

91 

90 

97 

97 

101 

97 

91 

98 

69 

91 

90 

97 

97 

102 

97 

91 

98 

70 

88 

91 

96 

98 

103 

97 

89 

98 

71 

88 

91 

96 

98 

96 

97 

88 

98 

74 

87 

90 

96 

97 

93 

96 

87 

98 

81 

85 

88 

97 

97 

92 

96 

88 

98 

93 

85 

88 

97 

96 

87 

96 

87 

98 

107 

89 

89 

97 

95 

84 

96 

86 

98 

122 

93 

90 

98 

95 

84 

95 

86 

98 

124 

98 

92 

98 

95 

85 

95 

92 

99 

113 

97 

94 

98 

95 

89 

95 

94 

99 

93 

96 

96 

98 

95 

93 

96 

97 

99 

76 

102 

97 

97 

95 

89 

95 

100 

99 

73 

105 

96 

97 

95 

89 

96 

102 

99 

75 

94 

96 

97 

95 

89 

96 

103 

99 

80 

92 

95 

97 

95 

87 

96 

102 

99 

85 

90 

94 

97 

95 

86 

96 

101 

100 

97 

93 

95 

99 

98 

100 

98 

103 

100 

110 

99 

99 

100 

105 

110 

100 

103 

101 

122 

106 

104 

103 

115 

104 

101 

103 

137 

111 

113 

106 

115 

129 

112 

102 

105 

141 

114 

120 

110 

107 

124 

116 

108 

106 

145 

115 

121 

109 

108 

127 

118 

113 

107 

135 

119 

122 

110 

109 

127 

120 

117 

110 

93 

117 

125 

110 

110 

130 

122 

123 

117 

103 

129 

128 

112 

115 

153 

137 

124 

127 

106 

118 

131 

115 

130 

198 

158 

122 

130 

109 

119 

131 

116 

131 

183 

162 

119 

132 

112 

117 

128 

122 

135 

164 

174 

118 

134 

123 

121 

127 

125 

140 

170 

194 

128 

137 

140 

126 

130 

130 

135 

166 

241 

1915. 
January. . . 
February. , 
March .  . . , 

April 

May 

June , 

July 

August 

September 
October .  . . 
November, 
December . 

1916. 
January. . , 
February. . 
March .  . . , 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August. .. . 
September 
October.  . . 
November, 
December . 


1917. 

January. . 
February. 
March .  . . 
April .... 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 


50                                                             RETAIL   PRICES. 

RELATIVE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOODSTUFFS,  BY  YEARS.  1907-1916  AND 
MONTHS,  JANUARY  1912-SEPTEMBER  1917— Continued. 
[Average  price  for  1916=100.] 

BY 

Year  or  month. 

Rice. 

Pota- 
toes. 

Onions. 

Beans. 

Prunes. 

Raisins. 

Sugar. 

Coffee. 

Tea. 

1907 

68 

72 
73 
65 
84 
85 
65 
70 
57 
100 

94 

98 

105 

117 

110 

109 

82 

72 

61 

58 

58 

58 

59 
58 
57 
56 
59 
67 
71 
71 
71 
68 
69 
69 

70 
70 
69 
68 
72 
85 
100 
72 
68 
58 
54 
54 

72 
74 
73 
75 
76 
79 
68 
74 
82 
100 

83 
83 
84 
81 
79 
79 
77 
77 
77 
76 
75 
74 

73 
69 
68 
67 
67 
66 
68 
70 
71 
69 
68 
67 

65 
64 
64 
62 
62 
64 
65 
98 
99 
90 
77 

1908 

1909         .    . 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

100 
100 

71 
100 

71 
100 

101 
100 

97 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

1916 

1912. 
January 

March 

May 

June     . .    . 

July 

August 

October 

November 

December 

1913. 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November. .  . . 

December 

1914. 
January 

• 

February. ..... 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

75 

RETAIL    PRICES. 


51 


RELATIVE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOODSTUFFS,  BY  YEARS,  1907-1916  AND  BY 
MONTHS.  JANUARY  1912-SEPTEMBER  1917— Continued. 
[Average  price  for  1916=100.] 


Year  or  month. 


1915. 
January. .  . 
February . . 
March .  .  .  . 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August. . .  , 
September 
October .  .  . 
November, 
December . 

1916. 

January. . . 
February. . 
March.  .  . 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August. . .  , 
September 
October .  .  . 
November 
December . 

1917. 

January. . . 
Februaiy. . 
March .  .  .  . 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August. . .  , 
September 


Rice. 

Pota- 
toes. 

Onions. 

Beans. 

Prunes. 

Raisins. 

Sugar. 

Coffee. 

Tea. 

100 

55 

69 

66 

102 

97 

75 

100 

100 

100 

54 

69 

69 

102 

97 

80 

100 

100 

100 

53 

67 

69 

102 

97 

82 

100 

100 

100 

55 

74 

70 

102 

97 

83 

100 

100 

100 

58 

87 

69 

102 

97 

85 

100 

100 

100 

64 

82 

69 

101 

97 

86 

100 

100 

100 

55 

72 

69 

101 

97 

87 

100 

100 

100 

53 

63 

69 

101 

97 

84 

100 

100 

100 

51 

61 

69 

101 

97 

81 

100 

100 

100 

61 

67 

72 

100 

97 

76 

100 

100 

99 

62 

68 

77 

99 

97 

81 

100 

100 

99 

69 

71 

81 

99 

97 

84 

100 

100 

100 

88 

83 

83 

.  99 

98 

84 

100 

100 

100 

91 

90 

84 

99 

98 

85 

100 

100 

100 

90 

91 

84 

99 

98 

93 

100 

100 

100 

89 

98 

85 

99 

98 

99 

100 

100 

100 

91 

104 

85 

99 

98 

106 

100 

100 

100 

108 

111 

88 

99 

98 

108 

100 

100 

100 

87 

109 

106 

100 

99 

109 

100 

100 

100 

91 

102 

110 

100 

99 

106 

100 

100 

100 

104 

94 

110 

100 

100 

96 

100 

100 

100 

106 

96 

111 

101 

101 

102 

100 

100 

100 

128 

105 

124 

103 

106 

107 

100 

100 

100 

128 

116 

130 

103 

108 

104 

100 

100 

100 

145 

141 

132 

104 

109 

100 

100 

100 

100 

188 

249 

135 

105 

109 

101 

100 

100 

100 

192 

255 

140 

105 

109 

109 

100 

100 

104 

219 

273 

152 

108 

110 

120 

100 

101 

ll.s 

227 

176 

174 

114 

112 

125 

101 

102 

119 

237 

142 

177 

117 

113 

.  n<i 

101 

104 

116 

159 

104 

177 

119 

115 

114 

102 

110 

116 

133 

94 

175 

121 

115 

124 

102 

no 

119 

HI 

94 

171 

122 

115 

123 

102 

112 

52 


RETAIL   PRICES. 


4.— CHANGE  IN  AVERAGE  PRICES  AND  IN  AMOUNT  OF 

VARIOUS  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD  THAT  COULD  BE 

BOUGHT  FOR  ONE  DOLLAR,  1890-1917. 

To  show  the  changes  and  results  of  changes  in  retail  prices  of  food  for 
a  period  of  28  years,  from  1890  to  1917,  inclusive,  the  table  next  pre- 
sented has  been  prepared  from  the  figures  appearing  in  the  reports  and 
bulletins  of  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics.  It  shows 
the  average  price  of  each  article  and  the  average  amount  of  each  of  15 
articles  of  food  that  could  be  bought  for  $1,  each  year  of  the  period, 
except  for  two  articles — sirloin  steak  and  rib  roast — for  which  satis- 
factory data  were  available  only  for  the  years  1907-1917.  Prices  for 
1917  are  as  of  November  15th. 

An  explanation  of  the  method  of  compiling  this  table  is  given  in  the 
appendix  of  Bulletin  197,  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics. 


AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOODS  AND  AMOUNT  PURCHASABLE  FOR  $1, 
EACH  YEAR.  1890-1917. 


Year. 

Sirloin  steak. 

Round  steak. 

Rib  roast. 

Pork  chops. 

Bacon. 

Average 
retail 
price. 

Amount 
bought 

Average 
retail 
price. 

Amount 
bought 
for$l. 

Average 
retail 
price. 

Amount 
bought 
for$l. 

Average 
retail 
price. 

Amount 
bought 
for$l. 

Average 
retail 
price. 

Amount 
bought 
for$l. 

1890 

Per  lb. 

Lbs. 

Per  lb* 
$0,123 
.124 
.124 
.124 
.122 

.123 
.124 
.125 
.127 
.129 

.132 
.138 
.147 
.140 
.141 

,140 
.145 
.150 
.157 

.162 
.173 
.173 
.198 

.221 
.234 
.228 
.245 
.309 

Lbs. 
8.1 
8.1 
8.1 
8.1 
8.2 

8.1 
8.1 
8.0 
7.9 
7.8 

7.6 
7.2 
6.8 
7.1 
7.1 

7.1 
6.9 
6.7 
6.4 

6.2 
5.8 
5.8 
5.1 

4.5 
4.3 
4.4 
4.1 
3.2 

Per  lb. 

Lbs. 

Per  lb. 

$0,107 
.109 
.111 
.118 
.112 

.110 
.107 
.108 
.109 
.112 

.119 
.130 
.141 
.140 
.137 

.139 
.152 
.157 
.161 

.175 
.193 
.179 
.193 

.211 
.222 
.203 
.227 
.388 

Lbs. 
9.3 
9.2 
9.0 
8.5 
8.9 

9.1 
9.3 
9.3 
9.2 
8.9 

8.4 
7.7 
7.1 
7.1 
7.3 

7.2 
6.6 
6.4 
6.2 

5.7 
5.2 
5.6 
5.2 

4.7 
4.5 
4.9 
4.4 
2.6 

Per  lb. 

$0,125 
.126 
.129 
.142 
.135 

.130 
.126 
.127 
.131 
.134 

.143 
.158 
.177 
.182 
.180 

.181 
.196 
.205 
.210 

.227 
.260 
.251 
.249 

.273 
.279 
.273 
.287 
.482 

Lbs. 
8.0 
7.9 
7.8 
7.0 
7.4 

7.7 
7.9 
7.9 
7.6 

7.5 

7.0 
6.3 
5.6 

5.5 
5.6 

5.5 
5.1 
4.9 
4.8 

4.4 
3.8 
4.0 
4.0 

3.7 
3.6 

3.7 
3.5 
2.1 

1891 



1892 



1893 



1894 

1895 

1896  

1897  

1898 

1899   

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

$0,181 
.186 

.194 
.202 
.204 
.230 

.253 
.258 
.255 
.273 
.330 

5.5 
5.4 

5.2 
5.0 
4.9 
4.3 

4.0 
3.9 
3.9 
3.7 
3.3 

$0,150 
.154 

.160 
.166 
.168 
.184 

.198 
.204 
.200 
.212 
.257 

6.7 
6.5 

6.3 
6.0 
6.4 
5.0 

5.1 
4.9 
5.0 
4.7 
3.9 

1908  

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

RETAIL   PRICES. 


53 


AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOODS  AND  AMOUNT  PURCHASABLE  FOR  $1, 
EACH  YEAR,  1890-1917— Continued. 


Year. 


Ham. 

Lard. 

Hens. 

Eggs. 

Average 

Amount 

Average 

Amount 

Average 

Amount 

Average 

Amount  i 

retail 

bought 

retail 

bought 

ratail 

bought 

retail 

bought 

price. 

for$l 

price. 

for  $1. 

price. 

for$l. 

price. 

for$l. 

Per  lb. 

Lbs. 

Per  lb. 

Lbs. 

Per  lb. 

Lbs. 

Perdoz. 

Doz. 

$0,152 

6.6 

$0,093 

10.8 

$0,135 

7.4 

$0,208 

4.8    < 

.153 

6.5 

.094 

10.6 

.139 

7.2 

.221 

4.5 

.157 

6.4 

.098 

10.2 

.138 

7.2 

.221 

4.5 

.168 

6.0 

.112 

8.9 

.139 

7.2 

.224 

4.5 

.157 

6.4 

.101 

9.9 

.131 

7.6 

.199 

5.0 

.152 

6.6 

.095 

10.5 

.131 

7.6 

.206 

4.9 

.150 

6.7 

.088 

11.4 

.129 

7.8 

.192 

5.2 

.151 

6.6 

.085 

11.8 

.125 

8.0 

.189 

5.3 

.146 

6.8 

.089 

11.2 

.129 

7.8 

.199 

5.0 

.153 

6.5 

.092 

10.9 

.136 

7.4 

.209 

4.8 

.162 

6.2 

.099 

10.1 

.134 

7.5 

.207 

4.8 

.169 

5.9 

.112 

8.9 

.137 

7.3 

.219 

4.6 

.184 

5.4 

.127 

7.9 

.151 

6.6 

.247 

4.0 

.187 

5.3 

.120 

8.3 

.198 

6.3 

.259 

3.9 

.182 

5.5 

.111 

9.0 

.161 

6.2 

.271 

3.7 

.182 

5.5 

.110 

9.1 

.165 

6.1 

.272 

3.7 

.196 

5.1 

.121 

8.3 

.172 

5.8 

.278 

3.6 

.201 

5.0 

.127 

7.9 

.175 

5.7 

.285 

3.5 

.207 

4.8 

.127 

7.9 

.177 

5.6 

.291 

3.4 

.217 

4.6 

.142 

7.0 

.189 

5.3 

.315 

3.2 

.243 

4.1 

.164 

6.1 

.200 

5.0 

.332 

3.0 

.238 

4.2 

.141 

7.1 

.194 

5.2 

.318 

3.1 

.240 

4.2 

.148 

6.8 

.200 

5.0 

.335 

3.0 

.266 

3.8 

.158 

6.3 

.214 

4.7 

.338 

3.0 

.271 

3.7 

.157 

6.4 

.219 

4.6 

.348 

2.9 

.258 

3.9 

.148 

6.8 

.208 

4.8 

.335 

3.0 

.294 

3.4 

.175 

5.7 

.236 

4.2 

.375 

2.7 

.426 

2.3 

.371 

2.7 

.312 

3.2 

.551 

'■» 

Butter. 


Average 
retail 
price. 


Amount 
bought 
for  $1. 


1890, 
1891, 
1892. 
1893 

1894, 
1895, 
1896 
1897 

1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 

1902 
1903 
1904 
1905 

1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 

1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 

1914 
1915 
1916 
1917 


Per  lb. 

$0,255 
.274 
.275 
.283 

.261 
.249 
.238 
.239 

.244 
.251 
.261 
.265 

.287 
.285 
.280 
.290 

.304 
.328 
.331 
.349 

.364 
.339 
.378 
.385 

.364 
.360 
.394 
.508 


Lbs. 
3.9 
3.6 
3.6 
3.5 

3.8 
4.0 
4.2 
4.2 

4.1 
4.0 

3.8 
3.8 

3.5 
3.5 
3.6 
3.4 

3.3 
3.0 
3.0 
2.9 

2.7 
2.9 
2.6 
2.6 

2.7 
2.8 
2.5 
2.0 


Mi 

k. 

Flour. 

Com 

meal. 

Potatoes. 

Sugar. 

Per  qt. 

Qts. 

Pribbl. 
bag. 

Bags. 

Per  lb. 

Lbs. 

Per  pk. 

Pecks. 

Per  lb. 

Lbs. 

$0,068 

14.7 

$0,711 

1.41 

$0,019 

52.6 

$0,247 

4.0 

$0,069 

14.5 

.068 

14.7 

.729 

1.37 

.021 

47.6 

.264 

3.8 

.060 

16.7 

.068 

14.7 

.681 

1.47 

.020 

50.0 

.217 

4.6 

.056 

17.9 

.068 

14.7 

.623 

1.61 

.020 

50.0 

.254 

3.9 

.059 

16.9 

.068 

14.7 

.575 

1.74 

.019 

52.6 

.232 

4.3 

.055 

18.2 

.068 

14.7 

.577 

1.73 

.019 

52.6 

.208 

4.8 

.053 

18.9 

.068 

14.7 

.601 

1.66 

.018 

55.6 

.174 

5.7 

.056 

17.9 

.067 

14.9 

.676 

1.48 

.018 

55.6 

.211 

4.7 

.056 

17.9 

.067 

14.9 

.696 

1.44 

.018 

55.6 

.239 

4.2 

.059 

16.9 

.067 

14.9 

.613 

1.63 

.018 

55.6 

.218 

4.6 

.059 

16.9 

.068 

14.7 

.611 

1.64 

.019 

52.6 

.212 

4.7 

.061 

16.4 

.068 

14.7 

.612 

1.63 

.020 

50.0 

.264 

3.8 

.060 

16.7 

.070 

14.3 

.615 

1.63 

.023 

43.5 

.265 

3.8 

.056 

17.9 

.072 

13.9 

.656 

1.52 

.023 

43.5 

.260 

3.8 

.056 

17.9 

.072 

13.9 

.777 

1.29 

.023 

43.5 

.275 

3.6 

.059 

16.9 

.072 

13.9 

.777 

1.29 

.023 

43.5 

.249 

4.0 

.060 

16.7 

.074 

13.5 

.701 

1.43 

.023 

43.5 

.259 

3.9 

.057 

17,5 

.079 

12.7 

.763 

1.31 

.025 

40.0 

.273 

3.7 

.058 

17.2 

.081 

12.3 

.813 

1.23 

.027 

37.0 

.286 

3.5 

.059 

16.9 

.083 

12.0 

.873 

1.15 

.027 

37.0 

.289 

3.5 

.059 

16.9 

.086 

11.6 

.863 

1.16 

.028 

35.7 

.261 

3.8 

.060 

16.7 

.086 

11.6 

.813 

1.23 

.027 

37.0 

.337 

3.0 

.061 

16.4 

.088 

11.4 

.843 

1.19 

.026 

38.5 

.341 

2.9 

.063 

15.9 

.091 

11.0 

.803 

1.25 

.029 

34.5 

.259 

3.9 

.055 

18.2 

.091 

11.0 

.833 

1.20 

.030 

33.3 

.280 

3.6 

.059 

16.9 

.090 

11.1 

1.003 

1.00 

.031 

32.3 

.229 

4.4 

.066 

15.2 

.091 

11.0 

1.078 

.93 

.034 

29.4 

.405 

2.5 

.080 

12.5 

.127 

7.9 

1.715 

.58 

.070 

14.3 

.455 

2.2 

.097 

10.3 

1890 

1891 

1892 

1893  

1894 

1895  

1896  

1897  

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917  (Nov.) 


54 


RETAIL    PRICES. 


5.— INCREASED  COST    OF  FOODSTUFFS  IN  THE  UNITED 

STATES    SINCE    THE    BEGINNING    OF    THE 

EUROPEAN  WAR. 

In  its  Monthly  Review  for  July,  1917,  page  93,  the  Bureau  of  Labor 
Statistics  published  a  table  showing  the  increased  price  of  the  principal 
foodstuffs  entering  into  a  workingman's  budget  on  July  15,  1913,  the 
year  immediately  preceding  the  outbreak  of  hostilities  in  Europe,  to 
July  15,  1917.  The  average  price  of  the  year  1916  was  taken  as  equalling 
100,  and  relative  increased  prices  worked  out  on  this  basis.  The  com- 
parative data  thus  secured  together  with  the  comment  of  the  Bureau  y 
was  as  follows:  f 

"Comparing  prices  on  July  15,  1914,  just  prior  to  the  present  war 
with  prices  on  July  15,  1917,  food  as  a  whole  advanced  42  per  cent. 
In  July,  1917,  flour  was  125  per  cent  higher — that  is,  two  and  one- 
fourth  times  the  price  in  July,  1914.  Corn  meal  was  89  per  cent  higher, 
lard  was  78  per  cent  higher,  sugar  75  per  cent  higher,  and  potatoes  and 
bread  each  59  per  cent  higher." 

"A  table  showing  the  average  and  relative  prices  in  July  of  each 
year  from  1913  to  1917  is  given  herewith": 

AVERAGE  MONEY  RETAIL  PRICES  AND  RELATIVE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  FOOD  ON 
JULY  15  OF  EACH  YEAR,  1913-1917. 


Article. 

Unit. 

Average  money  price  July  15. 

Relative  price  July  15. 
[Average  1916=100] 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

Sirloin  steak 

Round  steak 

Rib  roast  . 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

$0,265 
.233 
.201 

$0,270 
.245 
.208 
.175 
.127 
.222 
.273 
.279 
.154 
.219 

$0,265 
.240 
.206 
.167 
.123 
.211 
.270 
.265 
.145 
.208 
.198 
.278 
.343 
.232 
.087 
.063 
1.003 
.033 
.091 
.223 
.035 
.076 
.135 
.125 
.070 
.299 
.546 

$0,287 
.260 
.220 
.179 
.132 
.234 
.290 
.323 
.208 
.241 
.200 
.319 
.355 
.243 
.088 
.062 
.927 
.033 
.091 
.352 
.053 
.117 
.134 
.128 
.087 
.299 
.546 

$0,327 
.306 
.257 
.219 
.165 
.316 
.429 
.396 
.274 
.280 
.266 
.420 
.459 
.330 
.111 
.088 
1.766 
.059 
.106 
.645 
.051 
.195 
.160 
.148 
.091 
.306 
.599 

97 
95 
95 

"95" 
97 
96 
91 
92 

99 
100 
98 
102 
99 
98 
95 
95 
88 
93 

97 
98 
97 
97 
96 
93 
94 
90 
83 
88 
98 
74 
87 
90 
96 
97 
93 
96 

100 
55 
72 
69 

101 
97 
87 

100 

100 

105 

106 

104 

104 

103 

103 

101 

110 

119 

102 

99 

85 

90 

94 

97 

95 

86 

96 

100 

87 

109 

106 

100 

99 

109 

100 

100 

120 
125 
121 
127 
129 
139 
149 
135 
157 
119 
132 
112 
117 
128 
122 
135 
164 
174 
116 
159 
104 
177 
119 
115 
114 
102 
110 

Chuck  roast 

Plate  beef 

Pork  chops 

Bacon 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

"iiie 

.278 
.282 
.159 
.217 

Ham 

Lard 

Hens 

Salmon,  canned .... 
Eggs,  strictly  fresh. 
Butter 

Doz 

Lb 

Lb 

.300 

.347 

.300 
.343 

80 
88 

80 

87 

Cheese 

Milk 

Qt 

16-02..1oaf ' 
1  bbl.  bag. 

lb'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 

.088 

'  ^869 
.030 

.088 
.055 
.787 
.031 

97 

"75" 
87 

97 
85 
73 
92 

Bread 

Flour 

Corn  meal 

Rice 

Potatoes 

Peck 

Lb 

.288 

.405 

71 

100 

Onions 

Beans,  navy 

Prunes 

Raisins 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Sugar 

Lb 

Lb 

.054 

.052 

68 

65 

Coffee 

Tea 

Lb 

All  articles  combined 

88 

90 

88 

97 

128 

'16  ounces,  weight  of  dough. 


RETAIL-  PRICES. 

6.— COMPARATIVE  RETAIL  PRICES  IN  LEADING  CITIES 
OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  1913-1917. 


55 


The  following  table  affords  a  basis  for  the  comparison  of  the  average 
retail  prices  of  28  principal  foodstuffs  in  15  of  the  leading  cities  of  the 
United  States  for  the  period  1913-1917,  and  in  30  other  cities  on 
October  15,  1917.  It  was  prepared  by  the  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics 
and  published  in  its  Monthly  Review  for  November,   1917. 


AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD  FOR  15  SELECTED 
CITIES  FOR  OCT.   15,  1913.  1916,  AND   1917,  AND  SEPT.  15,  1917. 

[The  average  prices  shown  below  are  computed  from  reports  sent  monthly  to  the  bureau  by  retail  dealers 
Ae  some  dealers  occasionally  fail  to  report,  the  number  of  quotations  varies  from  month  to  month.] 


Article. 

Unit. 

Atlanta,  Ga. 

Baltimore.  Md. 

Oct. 

15. 

1913. 

Oct. 

15. 

1916. 

1917 

Oct. 

15, 

1913. 

Oct. 

15. 

1916. 

1917 

Sept. 

Oct. 
15. 

Sept. 

Oct. 
15. 

Sirloin  steak 

Round  steak       .    ... 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

$0,242 
.213 
.197 
.154 

$0,254 
219 
.199 
.165 
.111 
.250 
.312 
.325 
.189 
.244 
.225 
.162 
.375 
.432 
.291 
.123 
.069 
.049 
.028 
.079 
.035 
.057 
.126 
.133 
.149 
.088 
.282 
.617 

$0,312 
.281 
.237 
.203 
.154 
.373 
.439 
.413 
.294 
.324 
.288 
.229 
.475 
.531 
.341 
.150 
.090 
.072 
.061 
.104 
.033 
.059 
.186 
.176 
.150 
.104 
.285 
.753 

$0,311 
.278 
.241 
.212 
.157 
.399 
.490 
.439 
.319 
.316 
.337 
.246 
.482 
.551 
.355 
.159 
.091 
.072 
.059 
.108 
.038 
.059 
.188 
.179 
.162 
.104 
.294 
.796 

$0,235 
.220 
.173 
.153 

';i96' 
.225 
.285 
.148 
.180 
.208 

".3is3' 
.388 

■■;687" 
■■;632' 

.026 

'^ois' 

^649' 

$0,252 
.240 
.202 
.168 
.138 
.224 
.255 
.350 
.198 
.240 
.257 
.165 
.404 
.426 
.270 
.088 
.062 
.053 
.029 
.098 
.030 
.044 
.129 
.128 
.120 
.078 
.235 
.550 

$0,334 
.319 
.259 
.225 
.171 
.395 
.454 
.445 
.299 
.326 
.315 
.254 
.491 
.528 
.350 
.117 
.079 
.075 
.063 
.110 
.028 
.052 
.180 
.164 
.145 
.092 
.279 
.638 

$0,326 
.315 
.259 
.220 
.169 
.371 
.457 
.477 
.326 
.333 
.321 
.254 
.519 
.538 
.360 
.117 
.082 
.  .070 
.064 
.112 
.030 
.055 
.187 
.165 
.146 
.092 
.277 
.634 

Chuck  roast 

Plate  beef 

Pork  chops      

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.250 
.322 
.308 
.154 
.202 
.208 

Ham,  sliced       

Lard 

Lamb 

Hens 

Salmon,  canned 

Doz 

Lb 

Lb 

.341 
.390 

Butter 

Cheese 

Milk 

Qt 

16oz!oaf ' 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb...    . 

.106 

■■.63s' 

.027 

Bread 

Flour 

Corn  meal 

Rice 

Potatoes 

Lb 

Lb 

.023 

Beans,  navy 

Lb 

Lb 

Raisins     

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.058 

Coffee 

Tea 

Lb 

'16  ounces,  weight  of  dough. 


56 


RETAIL  PRICES. 


AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD  FOR  15  SELECTED 
CITIES  FOR  OCT.  15.  1913,  1916,  AND  1917,  AND  SEPT.  15,  1917— Continued. 


Article. 

Unit. 

Boston 

Mass. 

Buffalo 

,  N.  Y. 

Oct. 

15. 

1913. 

Oct, 

15, 

1916, 

1917 

Oct, 

15, 

1913, 

Oct. 

15, 

1916. 

1917 

^r- 

Oct, 
15, 

Sept. 
15. 

Oct. 
15. 

Sirloin  steak 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

$0,350 
.350 
.256 
.180 

$0,427 
.372 
,268 
.208 

$0,464 
.467 
,327 
,273 

$0,442 
.449 
.315 
.269 

$0,223 
.193 
,165 
.150 

$0,252 
.227 
.187 
.167 
.128 
.255 
.255 
.323 
.182 
.195 
.245 
.176 
.490 
.401 
.256 
.080 
.064 
.049 
.030 
.093 
.029 
.046 
.119 
.135 
.107 
.093 
,286 
.436 

$0,318 
.298 
.251 
.218 
.173 
.415 
.433 
.425 
.286 
.283 
.314 
.263 
.536 
.493 
.325 
.110 
.086 
.069 
.062 
,106 
.029 
.056 
.185 
.150 
.130 
.095 
.286 
.496 

$0,315 
.293 
.247 
.220 
.172 
.388 
.461 
.432 
.306 
.289 
,309 
.275 
.551 
.510 
.333 
.130 
.089 
.065 
,070 
,108 
.031 
,056 
.182 
,156 
.137 
.100 
,293 
.534 

Round  steak 

Rib  roast 

Plate  beef             .    

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb  

.244 
.254 
.313 
.157 
.205 
.256 

.258 
.270 
.345 
,190 
,259 
,282 
,197 
.573 
.406 
.265 
.096 
.064 
.055 
.042 
,097 
.029 
.054 
.115 
.147 
.127 
.079 
.346 
.600 

.405 
.439 
.447 
,295 
.346 
.329 
.294 
.652 
.512 
,324 
,130 
.085 
,078 
,075 
,112 
.027 
.057 
.184 
,167 
,150 
.097 
.340 
.652 

,409 
.458 
,456 
,309 
.345 
.344 
.294 
.660 
.524 
.328 
.130 
.081 
.075 
.075 
,115 
.034 
.056 
.184 
,168 
.150 
.098 
.341 
.646 

.210 

■;267' 
.144 
.153 
.210 

".366 
.371 

"'.oso' 

".6'30 
.025 

■■;6i7' 

■■;o54' 

Bacon,  sliced        

Ham,  sliced. 

Lard     

Hens        

Salmon,  canned 

Eees     

Doz.... 

Lb 

Lb 

,533 
,380 

Butter             

Cheese 

Milk               

Qt 

16ozloaf  1 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.089 

.636 
.035 

Bread 

Flour        

Rice 

Potatoes                  .    , , . 

Lb 

Lb 

.017 

Lb 

Lb 

Raisins       

Lb 

Sugar 

Lb 

Lb 

.054 

Coffee        

Tea 

Lb 

H6  ounces,  weight  of  dough. 


Chicago,  111. 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Sirloin  steak       

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

$0,248 
.216 
.201 
.158 

$0,274 
.235 
.223 
.171 
.128 
.233 
.329 
.359 
.184 
.223 
.223 
.230 
.383 
.394 
.277 
.090 
.065 
.049 
.036 
.094 
.027 
.047 
.125 
.129 
.132 
.074 
,300 
.540 

$0,315 
.281 
.258 
.220 
.165 
.374 
.476 
.439 
.283 
.320 
.294 
.283 
.465 
.484 
.344 
.100 
.093 
.069 
.065 
.103 
.027 
.039 
.183 
.159 
.147 
.091 
,284 
,564 

$0,306 
.273 
.247 
,213 
.165 
.358 
.475 
.439 
.299 
.314 
.271 
.300 
.469 
.487 
.368 
.129 
.093 
.066 
.071 
.103 
.028 
.048 
.186 
.161 
.145 
.088 
.285 
.573 

$0,254 
.229 
.187 
.169 

"!236' 
.281 

$0,255 
.232 
.198 
.177 
.122 
.250 
.307 

$0,312 
.291 
.238 
.214 
.158 
.415 
.452 
.421 
.302 
.308 
.327 
.262 
.542 
.516 
.332 
.120 
.090 
.073 
.069 
.106 
.029 
.049 
.186 
.165 
.143 
.098 
.294 
.565 

$0,307 
.288 
.232 
.211 
.158 
.387 
.468 
.436 
.318 
.306 
.317 
.270 
.570 
.530 
.350 
.120 
.089 
.071 
.073 
.111 
.032 
.050 
.191 
.165 
.143 
.097 
.291 
,566 

Rib  roast     

Plate  beef 

Pork  chops               .    . 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.210 
.327 
.320 
.150 
.198 
,184 

Bacon,  sliced 

Ham,  sliced       

Lard 

.164 
,187 
,209 

■■;427' 

.392 

"ioso' 
■■;63i' 

.030 

'!6i9" 

"!655' 

.198 
.222 
.240 
.180 
.507 
.437 
.283 
.090 
.066 
.052 
.037 
.094 
,033 
.049 
.131 
.136 
.124 
,083 
.288 
.475 

Lamb 

Hens 

Salmon,  canned 

Eggs     

Doz. . . . 

Lb 

Lb   .      . 

,333 
,354 

Butter 

Cheese  

Milk 

Qt 

16ozloaf  1 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

,080 

"!629" 
,028 

Bread 

Flour 

Rice 

Potatoes 

Lb 

Lb 

.017 

Beans,  navy 

Lb 

Lb 

Raisins 

Lb  ,,  .. 

Sugar  .      

Lb 

Lb 

.052 

Coffee 

Tea 

Lb 

'16  ounces,  weight  of  dough. 


RETAIL   PRICES.                                                              57 

W'ERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD  FOR  15  SELECTED 
CITIES  FOR  OCT.  15.  1913.  1916.  AND  1917.  AND  SEPT.  15.  1917— Continued. 

• 
Article. 

Unit. 

Denver 

,  Colo. 

Detroit. 

Mish. 

Oct. 

15, 

1913. 

Oct. 

15. 

1916. 

1917 

Oct. 

15. 

1913. 

Oct. 

15. 

1916. 

1917 

sept. 

Oct. 
15. 

Sept. 
15. 

Oct. 
IS. 

Sirloin  steak 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

$0,239 
.214 
.178 
.158 

$0,248 
.219 
.189 
.169 
.105 
.229 
.325 
.338 
.200 
.194 
.212 
.185 
.438 
.395 
.263 
.083 
.076 
.041 
.028 
.093 
.026 
.034 
.113 
.135 
.141 
.083 
.300 
.510 

$0,317 
.283 
.239 
.206 
.140 
.399 
.480 
.464 
.310 
.302 
.285 
.275 
.493 
.494 
.352 
.115 
.091 
.058 
.059 
.113 
.025 
.039 
.091 
.183 
.145 
.095 
.304 
.572 

$0,307 
.285 
.232 
.207 
.144 
.402 
.520 
.463 
.329 
.303 
.284 
.264 
.503 
.495 
.352 
.116 
.089 
.057 
.061 
.111 
.023 
.039 
.185 
.179 
.144 
.089 
.300 
.573 

$0,254 
.208 
.200 
.154 

.235 
.270 
.165 
.164 
.198 

■■!3S6' 
.370 

' !696" 

"  .031 
.028 

"ioie" 

"'.054 

$0,260 
.222 
.208 
.162 
.126 
.242 
.257 
.230 
.188 
.210 
.242 
.195 
.448 
.407 
.266 
.100 
.065 
.049 
.033 
.089 
.0.30 
.046 
.128 
.126 
.110 
.081 
.284 
.430 

$0,313 
.283 
.252 
.205 
.161 
.403 
.448 
.425 
.303 
.316 
.331 
.289 
.511 
.497 
.329 
.120 
.080 
.071 
.072 
.113 
.028 
.048 
.190 
.170 
.140 
.099 
.310 
.559 

$0,305 
.275 
.242 
.197 
.158 
.369 
.457 
.436 
.314 
.313 
.314 
.288 
.532 
.502 
.344 
.120 
.084 
.068 
.075 
.116 
.029 
.049 
.194 
.170 
.140 
.104 
.307 
.545 

Round  steak 

Rib  roast 

Chuck  roast 

Plate  beef 

Pork  chops 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.208 
.280 
.317 
.161 
.146 
.194 

Bacon,  sliced 

Ham,  sliced 

Lard ". 

Hens 

Salmon,  canned 

Eggs       

Doz. . . . 

Lb 

Lb 

.371 
.390 

Butter 

Cheese 

Milk 

16ozl(^'fi 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.084 

"!626' 
.026 

Bread 

Flour 

Corn  meal 

Rice 

Potatoes 

Onions 

Beans,  navy 

Prunes 

Raisins 

Sugar 

Coffee 

Tea 

Lb 

Lb 

.014 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.054 

Lb 

1  1 6  ounces,  weight  of  dough 


Milwaukee.  Wis. 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Sirloin  steak 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

$0,236 
.216 
.188 
.164 

$0,243 
.218 
.194 
.166 
.124 
.230 
.299 
.299 
.198 
.231 
.216 
.213 
.389 
.405 
.285 
.070 
.075 
.052 
.038 
.097 
.029 
.043 
.129 
.142 
.132 
.078 
.283 
.523 

$0,300 
.281 
.240 
.219 
.161 
.383 
.452 
.418 
.294 
.321 
.297 
.266 
.454 
.485 
.331 
.090 
.093 
.073 
.080 
.113 
.029 
.046 
.188 
.159 
.150 
.094 
.273 
.599 

$0,293 
.280 
.238 
.217 
.160 
.370 
.472 
.436 
.315 
.316 
.272 
.277 
.482 
.499 
.369 
.110 
.089 
.069 
.078 
.114 
.027 
.047 
.193 
.165 
.148 
.091 
.263 
.584 

$0,261 
.255 
.216 
.160 

"!229' 
.257 

2.205 
.163 
.152 
.218 

'!479' 
.375 

".696' 

".6'32 
.035 

■;624" 



■!649' 

$0,283 
.277 
.231 
.176 
.163 
.260 
.275 
«.228 
.196 
.200 
.259 
.238 
.517 
.408 
.255 
.098 
.068 
.053 
.044 
.093 
.034 
.054 
.119 
.139 
.125 
.074 
.269 
.460 

$0,368 
.368 
.298 
.235 
.211 
.394 
.440 
2.300 
.294 
.295 
.316 
.332 
.592 
.507 
.338 
.124 
.088 
.079 
.076 
.107 
.033 
.050 
.185 
.164 
.145 
.092 
.256 
.536 

$0,356 
.360 
.298 
.236 
.213 
.399 
.464 
2.314 
.313 
.284 
.323 
.334 
.627 
.515 
.340 
.138 
.088 
.078 
.082 
.115 
.038 
.059 
.185 
.167 
.146 
.097 
.265 
.521 

Round  steak 

Rib  roast 

Chuck  roast 

Plate  beef 

Pork  chops      

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.212 
.286 
.290 
.158 
.195 
.188 

Ham,  sliced       

Lard 

Lamb   

Hens 

Salmon,  canned 

Doz.... 

Lb 

Lb 

.350 
.350 

Butter 

Milk 

Qt 

16ozloaf  1 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb  ..    . 

.070 

■;636 

.037 

Bread 

Flour 

Rice 

Potatoes          .    .    . 

Lb 

Lb 

.016 

Beans,  navy      

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

**!655' 

Raisins 

Sugar 

Coffee 

Tea 

Lb 

1  16  ounces,  weight  of  dough. 


2  Whole. 


58 


RETAIL    PRICES. 


AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD  FOR  15  SELECTED 
CITIES  FOR  OCT.  15,  1913.  1916,  AND  1917,  AND  SEPT.  15.  1917— Continued. 


Article. 

Unit. 

Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

Oct. 

15, 

1913. 

Oct. 

15, 

1916. 

1917 

Oct. 

15. 

1913. 

Oct. 

15, 

1916. 

1917 

Sept. 
15. 

Oct. 
15. 

Sept. 
15. 

Oct. 
15. 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

$0,312 
.264 
.221 
.182 

$0,326 
.288 
.235 
.193 
.126 
.268 
.299 
.359 
.198 
.231 
.271 
.179 
.470 
.462 
.273 
.085 
.054 
.052 
.033 
.097 
.030 
.050 
.112 
.137 
.121 
.075 
.283 
.530 

$0,402 
.374 
.295 
.258 
.171 
.403 
.447 
.470 
.303 
.335 
.327 
.251 
.531 
.559 
.355 
.110 
.079 
.076 
.066 
.112 
.035 
.054 
.182 
.157 
.138 
.091 
.277 
.583 

$0,392 
.365 
.291 
.252 
.174 
.400 
.467 
.479 
.328 
.331 
.344 
.260 
.548 
.562 
.361 
.110 
.079 
.075 
.071 
.118 
.038 
.056 
.185 
.164 
.139 
.094 
.283 
.583 

$0,277 
.237 
.217 
.178 

";232' 
.306 
.299 
.157 
.200 
.255 

';380' 
.395 

';088' 

■;o32" 

.030 
'!6i9' 

$0,284 
.250 
.230 
.179 
.120 
.253 
.321 
.351 
.201 
.246 
.287 
.211 
.420 
.424 
.279 
.098 
.065 
.053 
.036 
.095 
.030 
.054 
.132 
.134 
.134 
.084 
.271 
.575 

$0,365 
.337 
.279 
.242 
.170 
.403 
.462 
.453 
.308 
.353 
.371 
.297 
.509 
.517 
.338 
.125 
.092 
.075 
.079 
.106 
.030 
.050 
.184 
.162 
.147 
.099 
.303 
.693 

$0,356 
.329 
.274 
.241 
.171 
.406 
.483 
.465 
.328 
.363 
.378 
.301 
.528 
.527 
.357 
.125 
.092 
.072 
.081 
.110 
.032 
.052 
.188 
.165 
.148 
.101 
.299 
.702 

Round  steak 

Plate  beef. 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.233 
.275 
.319 
.156 
.191 
.231 

Bacon,  sliced         

Ham,  sliced 

Lard 

Lamb 

Hens 

Salmon,  canned 

Doz. . .  . 

Lb 

Lb 

.425 
.431 

Butter 

Cheese . 

Milk 

Qt 

16ozloaf ' 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.080 

";632' 
.028 

Bread   .... 

Flour 

Corn  meal 

Rice 

Potatoes 

Lb 

Lb 

.023 

Onions 

Lb     .. . 

Prunes 

Lb 

Raisins 

Lb 

Sugar 

Lb 

Lb 

.050 

Coffee 

Tea 

Lb     .    . 

'16  ounces,  weight  of  dough. 


Sirloin  steak .  .  . 
Round  steak . .  . 

Rib  roast 

Chuck  roast .  .  . 

Plate  beef 

Pork  chops .  .  .  . 
Bacon,  sliced . . . 
Ham,  sliced. . . . 

Lard 

Lamb 

Hens 

Salmon,  canned 

Eggs 

Butter 

Cheese 

Milk 

Bread 

Flour 

Corn  meal 

Rice 

Potatoes 

Onions 

Beans,  navy .  .  . 

Prunes 

Raisins 

Sugar 

Coffee 

Tea 


Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb ... . 
Lb ... . 
Lb ... . 
Lb ... . 
Doz. . . 
Lb ... . 
Lb.... 
Qt... 
16ozloaf 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb ... . 
Lb.... 
Lb ... . 
Lb ... . 
Lb.  .. 
Lb ... . 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 


St.  Louis,  Mo. 


$0,260 
.243 
.195 
.1.56 


197 
269 
273 
131 
,183 
.168 


.310 
.379 


.088 


.029 
.025 


.019 


.053 


$0,258 

$0,308 

.247 

.307 

.203 

.253 

.165 

.214 

.128 

.163 

.222 

.382 

.278 

.463 

.288 

.439 

.183 

:291 

.218 

.296 

.203 

.271 

.168 

.277 

.365 

.459 

.420 

.509 

.256 

.340 

.080 

.110 

.067 

.094 

.048 

.066 

.033 

.065 

.086 

.100 

.029 

.028 

.045 

.043 

.121 

.191 

.130 

.169 

.139 

.170 

.079 

.093 

.242 

.280 

.543 

.617 

$0,308 
.301 
.256 
.206 
.166 
.374 
.486 
.456 
.293 
.308 
.275 
.284 
.460 
.526 
.369 
.132 
.093 
.063 
.066 
.106 
.029 
.047 
.192 
.173 
.167 
.089 
.283 
.628 


San  Francisco.  Cal. 


$0,214 
.197 
.213 
.152 


.242 
.344 
.340 
.180 
.167 
.245 


.564 
.400 


100 


.034 
.035 


.018 


.054 


$0,203 
.193 
.207 
.133 
.129 
.237 
.350 
.333 
.191 
.201 
.273 
.179 
.558 
.404 
.238 
.100 
.058 
.045 
.038 
.085 
.025 
.036 
.121 
.124 
.110 
.075 
.317 
.517 


$0,230 
.225 
.226 
.159 
.154 
.  335 
.470 
.456 
.290 
.274 
.291 
.245 
.538 
.530 
.316 
.121 
.083 
.068 
.071 
.102 
.032 
.026 
.180 
.146 
.143 
.089 
.304 
.540 


'16  ounces,  weight  of  dough. 


RETAIL    PRICES. 


59 


AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  ARTICLES  OF   FOOD  FOR  15  SELECTED 
CITIES  FOR  OCT.  15,  1913.  1916,  AND  1917,  AND  SEPT.  15,  1917— Concluded. 


Article. 

Unit. 

Seattle 

Wash. 

Oct. 

15, 

1913. 

Oct. 

15. 

1916. 

1917 

Sept. 
15. 

Oct. 
15. 

Sirloin  steak 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

$0,243 
.207 
.193 
.160 

$0,224 
.200 
.186 
.133 
.109 
.236 
.320 
.310 
.184 
.210 
.210 
.188 
.531 
.428 
.244 
.098 

$0,264 
.250 
.218 
.178 
.150 
.401 
.494 
.410 
.285 
.269 
.262 
.269 
.528 
..530 
.308 
.120 
.092 
.065 
.075 
.104 
.024 
.031 
.191 
.147 
.145 
.095 
.313 
.533 

$0,267 
.251 
.225 
.181 
.153 
.400 
.490 
.431 
.301 
.287 
.271 
.277 
.652 
.546 
.312 
.120 
.092 
.060 
.075 
.109 
.023 
.040 
.190 
.146 
.145 
.089 
.316 
.542 

Round  steak 

Plate  beef 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.243 
.325 
.300 
.171 
.177 
.243 

Bacon,  sliced         

Lard     

Hens     

Salmon,  canned 

Eggs   

Doz. . . . 

Lb 

Lb 

.500 
.400 

Butter              .            ... 

Milk         

Qt 

16ozloaf  1 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.097 

Bread 

Flour              

Ts 

.041 
.038 
.084 
.018 
.038 
.113 
.131 
.131 
.085 
.326 
.500 

Rice    

Potatoes 

Lb 

Lb 

.014 

Onions 

Beans   navy 

Lb 

Lb 

Raisins 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.064 

Coffee •. 

Tea 

Lb . .   .  . 

'16  ounces,  weight  of  dough. 


AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD  FOR  30  CITIES 

FOR  OCT.  15,  1917. 

[The  average  prices  shown  below  are  computed  from  reports  sent  monthly  to  the  bureau  by  retail  dealers. 
As  some  dealers  occasionally  fail  to  report,  the  number  of  quotations  varies  from  month  to  month.] 


Article. 


Unit. 


Bir- 
ming- 
ham. 
Ala. 


Bridge- 
port. 
Conn. 


Cin- 

Co- 

Butte 

Charles- 

cm- 

lum- 

Dallas. 

Monc. 

ton. 

nati. 

bus. 

Tex. 

S.  C. 

Ohio. 

Ohio, 

$0,300 

$0,277 

$0,274 

$0,329 

$0,311 

.272 

.258 

.261 

.303 

.300 

.243 

.247 

.229 

.258 

.261 

.200 

.191 

.189 

.226 

.230 

.135 

.150 

.153 

.176 

.185 

.403 

.392 

.371 

.386 

.386 

.560 

.471 

.467 

.472 

.535 

.480 

.441 

.425 

.447 

.483 

.311 

.308 

.306 

.325 

.298 

.326 

.339 

.284 

.300 

.3.58 

.333 

.343 

.325 

.301 

.272 

.355 

.266 

.259 

.281 

.277 

.693 

.507 

.464 

.475 

.480 

.559 

.534 

.515 

.499 

..500 

.350 

.345 

.363 

.338 

.383 

.1.50 

.160 

.120 

.110 

.148 

.104 

.091 

.081 

.087 

.088 

.078 

.078 

.124 

.071 

.068 

.073 

.069 

.066 

.069 

.069 

.132 

.094 

.117 

.111 

.111 

.020 

.036 

.031 

.030 

.037 

.046 

.051 

.046 

.0.54 

.048 

.195 

.161 

.190 

.191 

.178 

.173 

.168 

.162 

.168 

.183 

.153 

.149 

.144 

.149 

.150 

.107 

.096 

.096 

.104 

.101 

.416 

.288 

.274 

.290 

.336 

.755 

.664 

.683 

.704 

.823 

Sirloin  steak .  . .  . 
Round  steak. .  .  . 

Rib  Roast 

Chuck  roast .  .  .  . 

Plate  beef 

Pork  chops , 

Bacon,  sliced. . . 

Ham,  sliced 

Lard 

Lamb 

Hens 

Salmon,  canned. 

Eggs 

Butter 

Cheese 

Milk 

Bread 

Flour 

Corn  meal 

Rice 

Potatoes 

Onions 

Beans,  navy .  .  . 

Prunes 

Raisins 

Sugar 

Coffee 

Tea 


Lb... 
Lb... 
Lb... 
Lb... 
Lb... 
Lb... 
Lb... 
Lb... 
Lb... 
Lb... 
Lb... 
Lb.. 
Doz. 
Lb.. 
Lb.. 
Qt.. 
16ozloaf  1 
Lb.. 
Lb.. 
Lb.. 
Lb.. 
Lb.. 
Lb.. 
Lb.. 
Lb.. 
Lb.. 
Lb.. 
Lb.. 


$0,355 
.314 
.266 
.212 
.170 
.389 
.509 
.450 
.308 
.433 
.286 
.278 
.494 
.560 
.356 
.152 
.094 
.072 
.054 
.122 
.037 
.058 
.197 
.160 
.160 
.102 
.328 
.740 


$0,428 
.395 
.333 
.272 
.172 
.391 
.509 
.503 
.301 
.315 
.355 
.350 
.706 
.504 
.341 
.140 
.093 
.075 
.085 
.119 
.034 
.060 
.185 
.165 
.157 
.101 
.319 
.623 


'16  ounces,  weight  of  dough. 


60 


RETAIL   PRICES. 


AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD   FOR  30  CITIES 
FOR     OCT.     15.     1917— Continued 


Indi- 

Jack- 

.Los- 

Fall 

anap- 

son- 

Kansas 

Little 

An- 

Louis- 

Article, 

Unit. 

River. 

olis. 

ville, 

City. 

Rock, 

geles, 

ville, 

Mass. 

Ind. 

Fla. 

Mo. 

Ark. 

Cal. 

Ky. 

Siiloin  steak 

Lb 

$0,427 

$0,329 

$0,323 

$0,317 

$0,306 

$0,277 

$0,285 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

Lb 

.367 
.293 
.251 

.325 
.236 
.218 
.165 
.404 

.293 
.253 
.199 
.154 
.397 

.292 
.235 
.198 
.165 
.382 

.278 
.255 
.197 
.168 
.381 

.247 
.229 
.186 
.152 
.372 

.271 
.232 
.203 
.175 
.365 

Rib  roast 

Plate  beef 

Pork  chops 

Lb 

.386 

Bacon,  sliced 

Lb 

.434 

.488 

.484 

.477 

.513 

.546 

.523 

Ham,  sliced 

Lb 

.436 

.446 

.420 

.433 

.463 

.513 

.438 

Lard 

Lb 

.294 

.318 

.301 

.323 

.335 

.301 

.320 

Lamb 

Lb 

.342 

.250 

.300 

.270 

.308 

.288 

.310 

Hens 

Lb 

.327 

.278 

.316 

.265 

.297 

.319 

.297 

Salmon,  canned 

Lb 

.282 

.238 

.278 

.296 

.298 

.268 

.253 

Eggs 

Doz.... 

.692 

.461 

.545 

.449 

.485 

.610 

.473 

Butter 

Lb 

.499 

.517 

.531 

.502 

.544 

.535 

.539 

Cheese 

Lb 

.324 

.387 

.349 

.350 

.375 

.339 

.382 

Milk 

Qt 

.130 

.100 

.137 

.122 

.167 

.120 

.120 

Bread 

16ozloaf  1 

.085 

.085 

.093 

.096 

.089 

.082 

.100 

Flour 

Lb 

.077 

.073 

.076 

.066 

.073 

.065 

.071 

Corn  meal                 .... 

Lb 

Lb 

.074 
.117 

.059 
.121 

.066 
.106 

.062 
.105 

.065 
.103 

.078 
.104 

.059 
.112 

Rice 

Potatoes 

Lb 

.031 

.031 

.040 

.031 

.035 

.032 

.048 

Onions .  . 

Lb 

.053 

.052 

.054 

.046 

.054 

.033 

.042 

Beans,  navy 

Lb 

.173 

.203 

.197 

.195 

.199 

.179 

.196 

Prunes 

Lb 

.165 

.178 

.181 

.159 

.178 

.158 

.161 

Raisins 

Lb 

.145 

.168 

.178 

.152 

.151 

.152 

.167 

Sugar 

Lb 

.100 

.102 

.100 

.095 

.095 

.084 

.102 

Coffee 

Lb 

.323 

.295 

.326 

.288 

.330 

.318 

.279 

Tea 

Lb 

.487 

.743 

.735 

.608 

.803 

.590 

.733 

116  ounces,  weight  of  dough. 


Man- 

.New 

New 

ches- 

Mem- 

Minne- 

New- 

Ha- 

Or- 

Oma- 

Port- 

Article. 

Unit. 

ter, 

phis, 

apolis, 

ark, 

ven, 

leans, 

ha, 

land. 

N.  H. 

Tenn. 

Minn. 

N.J. 

Conn. 

La. 

Nebr. 

Oreg. 

Sirloin  steak . . 

Lb 

$0,448 

$0,307 

$0,256 

$0,378 

$0,437 

$0,271 

$0,319 

$0,255 

Round  steak . . 

Lb 

.409 

.280 

.245 

.382 

.399 

.246 

.295 

.246 

Rib  roast 

Lb 

.277 

.246 

.209 

.297 

.323 

.233 

.232 

.236 

Chuck  roasts  . 

Lb 

.248 

.210 

.181 

.254 

.287 

.183 

.203 

.183 

Plate  beef 

Pork  chops  . . . 

Lb. 

.173 
.389 

.136 
.356 

.188 
.410 

■■■;46i' 

.155 
.401 

.154 
.378 

.147 
.373 

Lb 

.393 

Bacon,  sliced. . 

Lb 

.455 

.495 

.486 

.455 

.498 

.503 

.465 

.510 

Ham,  sliced... 

Lb 

.419 

.432 

.436 

2.333 

.505 

.425 

.438 

.445 

Lard 

Lb 

Lb 

.317 
.330 

.301 
.353 

.304 
.248 

.317 
.345 

.313 
.345 

.301 
.314 

.318 
.332 

.310 
.275 

Lamb 

Hens 

Lb 

.348 

.301 

.247 

.348 

.363 

.327 

.265 

.248 

Salmon.canned 

Lb 

.294 

.277 

.316 

.329 

.322 

.304 

.282 

.325 

Efiffifs 

Doz.... 
Lb 

.640 

.552 

.448 
.508 

.441 
.475 

.674 
.538 

.733 
.516 

.469 
.519 

.453 
.496 

.600 
.543 

Butter 

Cheese 

Lb 

.332 

.351 

.332 

.361 

.336 

.350 

.363 

.341 

Milk 

Qt 

16ozloaf ' 

.123 
.082 

.146 
.096 

.120 
.092 

,140 
.082 

.128 
.089 

.130 
.077 

,120 
.096 

,112 
,086 

Bread 

Flour 

Lb 

.076 

.070 

.061 

.075 

.076 

.079 

.062 

.059 

Corn  meal .... 

Lb 

.077 

.060 

.063 

.084 

.075 

.072 

.065 

.073 

Rice 

Lb 

Lb 

.104 
.032 

.102 
.031 

.103 
.025 

.111 
.037 

.114 
.034 

.100 
.041 

.107 
.026 

.108 
,024 

Potatoes 

Onions 

Lb 

.052 

.046 

.038 

.059 

.053 

.045 

.045 

.042 

Beans,  navy.  . 

Lb.   ... 

.187 

.194 

.188 

.183 

.184 

.176 

.198 

.180 

Prunes 

Lb 

.155 

.166 

.159 

.165 

.170 

.177 

.166 

,138 

Raisins 

Lb 

.150 

.153 

.145 

.146 

,148 

.160 

,163 

,140 

Sugar 

Lb 

.102 

.099 

.091 

.096 

.100 

.099 

.092 

.089 

Coffee 

Lb 

.335 

.305 

.313 

.304 

,337 

,269 

.314 

.320 

Tea 

Lb 

.585 

.709 

.489 

.564 

,535 

.625 

,604 

,540 

46  ounces,  weight  of  dough. 


2Whole. 


RETAIL   PRICES. 


61 


AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD  FOR  30  CITIES 
FOR  OCT.   15,  1917— Concluded. 


Article. 


Sirloin  steak .  . . 
Round  steak. .  . 

Rib  roast 

Chuck  roast.  .  . 

Plate  beef 

Pork  chops .... 
Bacon,  sliced. .. 

Ham,  sliced 

Lard 

Lamb 

Hens 

Salmon,  canned 

Eggs 

Butter 

Cheese 

Milk 

Bread 

Flour 

Corn  meal 

Rice 

Potatoes 

Onions 

Beans,  navy .  .  . 

Prunes 

Raisins 

Sugar 

Coffee 

Tea 


Salt 

Wash- 

Provi- 

Rich- 

Roch- 

St. 

Lake 

Scran- 

Spring- 

ing- 

Unit 

dence, 

mond, 

ester, 

Paul, 

City, 

ton, 

field, 

ton, 

R.  I. 

Va. 

N.  Y. 

Minn. 

Utah. 

Pa. 

111. 

D.  C. 

Lb. .  .  . 

$0,524 

$0,325 

$0,314 

$0,293 

$0,275 

$0,341 

$0,344 

$0..350 

Lb.... 

.435 

.305 

.298 

.258 

.259 

.305 

.328 

.337 

Lb.... 

.3^3 

.260 

.257 

.234 

.234 

.275 

.240 

.278 

Lb.... 

.301 

.227 

.238 

.199 

.199 

.232 

.226 

.243 

Lb. 

.187 
.378 

.182 
.398 

.142 
.370 

.159 
.414 

.166 
.386 

.183 
.394 

.191 
.415 

Lb.... 

.425 

Lb.... 

.467 

.480 

.456 

.473 

.483 

.464 

.504 

.497 

Lb. .  .  . 

.506 

2.351 

.428 

.439 

.423 

.429 

.441 

.438 

Lb.... 

.313 

.322 

.323 

.300 

.336 

.303 

.321 

.318 

Lb.... 

.357 

.320 

.306 

.247 

.290 

.344 

.369 

.360 

Lb.... 

.363 

308 

.342 

.255 

.321 

.344 

.240 

.325 

Lb.... 

.289 

.226 

.294 

.276 

.283 

.281 

.262 

.236 

Doz... 

.663 

.496 

.638 

.436 

.573 

.592 

.497 

.546 

Lb.... 

.541 

.559 

.515 

.477 

.550 

.507 

.525 

.534 

Lb.... 

.337 

.357 

.346 

.337 

.341 

.331 

.381 

.351 

Qt.... 

.130 

.133 

.127 

.120 

.111 

.123 

.118 

.140 

16-oz. 1 

.090 

.084 

.089 

.081 

.090 

.093 

.099 

.090 

Lb.... 

.073 

.073 

.072 

.062 

.055 

.076 

.071 

.075 

Lb.... 

.073 

.062 

.076 

,   .066 

.075 

.071 

.062 

Lb.... 

.115 

.114 

.113 

.106 

.104 

.109 

.121 

.115 

Lb.... 

.035 

.036 

.029 

.024 

.020 

.032 

.031 

.031 

Lb.... 

.052 

.059 

.049 

.038 

.034 

.053 

.048 

.054 

Lb.... 

.184 

.199 

.183 

.206 

.206 

.191 

.207 

.201 

Lb.... 

.173 

.147 

.187 

.153 

.162 

.165 

.172 

.178 

Lb.... 

.146 

.145 

.147 

.144 

.146 

.139 

.172 

.154 

Lb.... 

.099 

.099 

.097 

.092 

.093 

.098 

.103 

.094 

Lb.... 

.341 

.291 

.295 

.321 

.350 

.319 

.300 

.281 

Lb.... 

.565 

.682 

.503 

.536 

.631 

..561 

.658 

.592 

1  16  ounces,   weight  of  dough,      ^whole. 


7.— RETAIL  PRICES  OF  DRY  GOODS. 

The  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  has  also  recently  begun  the  collection 
of  data  as  to  the  prices  of  dry  goods.  The  table  below  shows  the  aver- 
age retail  price  for  8  articles  of  dry  goods  in  45  cities  in  the  United 
States  on  May  15,  and  October  15,  1917. 

AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  8  ARTICLES  OF  DRY  GOODS  IN  45  CITIES,  MAY  15,  1917, 
AND    OCTOBER    15,    1917,    BY    ARTICLES. 


Article. 

Unit. 

Atlanta,  Ga. 

Baltimore, 
Md. 

Birmingham, 
Ala. 

Boston, 

Mass. 

Bridgeport, 
Conn. 

May 
15. 
1917 

Oct. 
IS, 
1917 

May 
15, 
1917 

Oct. 
15, 
1917 

May 
15, 
1917 

Oct. 
15. 
1917 

May 
15, 
1917 

Oct. 
15, 
1917 

May 
15, 
1917 

Oct. 
15, 
1917 

Calico 

Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  sheet 
Per  yard 

$0,100 
.158 
.131 
.146 
.146 
.423 
1.068 
.142 

$0,108 
.243 
.185 
.196 
.203 
.529 
1.362 
.186 

$0,098 
.190 
.122 
.160 
.152 
.430 
1.058 
.157 

$0,130 
.230 
.190 
.240 
.214 
.550 
1.342 
.223 

$0,094 
.190 
.138 
.162 
.146 
.385 
.960 
.158 

$0,121 
.258 
.150 
.228 
.187 
.450 
1.170 
.170 

$0,100 
.177 
.125 
.166 
.157 
.465 
1.242 
.160 

$0,118 
.190 
.190 
.210 
.223 
.518 
1.358 
.193 

$0,107 
.170 
.123 
.163 
.158 
.443 
1.140 
.125 

$0,117 
.190 
.143 
.215 
.186 
.605 
1.370 
.170 

Percale   . . 

Gingham,  apron. 
Gingham,  dress.  . 
Muslin,  bleached 
Sheeting.bleached 
Sheets,  bleached. 
Outing  flannel . . . 

62 

RETAIL 

PRICES. 

i 

AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  8  ARTICLES  OF  DRY  GOODS  IN  45  CITIES,  MAY  15.  19171 

AND  OCTOBER  15,  1917,  BY  ARTICLES.                                                          ' 

Buffalo, 

Butte, 

Charleston, 

Chicago,  111. 

Cincinnati, 

Article. 

Unit. 

N.  Y. 

Mont. 

S.  C. 

Ohio. 

May 

Oct. 

May 

Oct. 

May 

Oct. 

May 

Oct. 

May 

Oct. 

15, 

IS, 

IS, 

IS, 

15, 

IS, 

IS, 

IS, 

15. 

15, 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

Calico 

Per  yard 

$0,102 

$0,134 

$0,100 

$0,108 

$0,113 

$0,144 

$0,100 

$0,125 

$0,098 

$0,120 

Percale 

Per  yard 

.190 

.235 

.197 

.233 

.178 

.223 

.195 

.250 

.170 

.250 

Gingham,  apron.. 

Per  yard 

.130 

.168 

.100 

.125 

.116 

.156 

.125 

.140 

.125 

.175 

Gingham,  dress.  . 

Per  yard 

.170 

.201 

.187 

.221 

.154 

.203 

.186 

.216 

.165 

.202 

Muslin,  bleached . 

Per  yard 

.164 

.230 

.158 

.188 

.142 

.215 

.151 

.213 

.137 

.179 

Sheeting, bleached 

Per  yard 

.470 

.588 

.479 

.533 

.411 

.561 

.439 

.607 

.398 

.508 

Sheets,  bleached. 

Per  sheet 

1.279 

1 .  539 

1.483 

1.717 

1.197 

1.464 

1.218 

1.600 

1.063 

1.288 

Outing  flannel .  .  . 

Per  yard 

.162 

.198 

.173 

.190 

.148 

.217 

.174 

.205 

.150 

.172 

Cleveland, 
Ohio. 

Columbus, 
Ohio. 

Dallas 

,  Tex. 

Denver, 
Colo. 

Detroit, 
Mich. 

Calico 

Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  sheet 
Per  yard 

$0,090 
.168 
.117 
.157 
.158 
.486 
1.190 
.146 

$0,108 
.210 
.142 
.197 
.185 
.564 
1.476 
1.80 

$0,110 
.185 
.125 
.215 
.170 
.456 
1.214 
.164 

$0,118 
.219 
.150 
.300 
.213 
.590 
1.450 
.194 

$0,098 
.159 
.119 
.150 
.140 
.391 
.981 
.150 

$0,125 
.198 
.158 
.200 
.191 
.473 
1.173 
.210 

$0,100 
.200 
.117 
.180 
.167 
.496 
1.461 
.188 

$0,122 

fri 

.255 
.233 
.621 
1.732 
.206 

$0,101 
.193 
.1.30 
.198 
.180 
.471 
1.320 
.159 

$0,143 
.225 
.160 
.238 
.231 
.594 
1.608 
.198 

Percale 

Gingham,  apron. . 
Gingham,  dress.  . 
Muslin,  bleached 
Sheeting, bleached 
Sheets.bleached. . 
Outing  flannel.  .  . 

Fall  River. 

Indianapolis, 

Jacksonville, 

Kansas  City, 

Little  Rock, 

Mass. 

Ind. 

Fla. 

Mo. 

Ark. 

Calico 

Per  yard 

$0,090 

$0,090 

$0,102 

$0,121 

$0,125 

$0,150 

$0,100 

$0,125 

$0,100 

$0,125 

Percale 

Per  yard 

.163 

.177 

.183 

.200 

.200 

.250 

.178 

.235 

.185 

.225 

Gingham,  apron.. 

Per  yard 

.120 

.150 

.124 

.150 

.150 

.190 

.133 

.187 

.125 

.163 

Gingham,  dress.  . 

Per  yard 

.150 

.177 

.188 

.209 

.180 

.200 

.166 

.216 

.158 

.193 

Muslin,  bleached. 

Per  yard 

.150 

.220 

.147 

.193 

.173 

.238 

.160 

.211 

.157 

.204 

Sheeting.bleached 

Per  vard 

.440 

.545 

.441 

.564 

.460 

.525 

.441 

553 

.450 

.528 

Sheets,  bleached. 

Per  sheet 

1.183 

1.413 

1.070 

1.319 

1 .  145 

1.375 

1 .  ISO 

1.400 

1.108 

1.340 

Outing  flannel .  . . 

Per  yard 

.145 

.207 

.149 

.180 

.150 

.190 

.158 

.185 

.150 

.190 

Los  Angeles, 

Louisville, 

Manchester, 

Memphis, 

Milwaukee, 

Cal. 

Ky. 

N.  H. 

Tenn. 

Wis. 

Calico 

Per  yard 

$0,098 

$0,119 

$0,093 

$0,127 

$0,117 

$0,122 

$0,099 

$0,120 

$0,100 

$0,116 

Percale 

Per  yard 

.194 

.231 

.181 

.217 

.163 

.190 

.200 

.220 

.180 

.207 

Gingham,  apron.. 

Per  yard 

.138 

.171 

.123 

.188 

.125 

.125 

.133 

.150 

.124 

.150 

Gingham,  dress.  . 

Per  yard 

.190 

.248 

.161 

.234 

.159 

.213 

.167 

.238 

.177 

.207 

Muslin,  bleached . 

Per  yard 

.159 

213 

.148 

.194 

.160 

.230 

.146 

.204 

.155 

.175 

Sheeting.bleached 

Per  yard 

.455 

.598 

.400 

.482 

.469 

.581 

.466 

.563 

.434 

.572 

Sheets,  bleached. 

Per  sheet 

1.275 

1.590 

1.147 

1.348 

1.293 

1.530 

1.181 

1.411 

1.367 

1.604 

Outing  flannel .  .  . 

Per  yard 

.161 

.190 

.156 

,208 

.142 

.204 

.168 

.178 

.160 

.200 

RETAIL    PRICES. 


63 


AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  8  ARTICLES  OF  DRY  GOODS  IN  45  CITIES.  MAY  15.  1917, 
AND  OCTOBER   15,   1917,   BY  ARTICLES— Concluded. 


Article. 


Calico 

Percale 

Gingham,  apron  . 
Gingham,  dress.  . 
Muslin,  bleached . 
Sheeting, bleached 
Sheets,  bleached. 
Outing  flannel.  .  . 


Minneapolis, 

Newark, 

New  Haven, 

New  Orleans, 

New  York, 

Unit. 

Minn. 

N.  J. 

Conn. 

La. 

N.  Y. 

May 

Oct. 

May 

Oct. 

May 

Oct. 

May 

Oct. 

May 

Oct. 

15, 

15, 

15. 

15, 

15, 

15, 

15, 

IS. 

15. 

15, 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

1917 

Per  yard 

$0,107 

$0,127 

$0,095 

$0,125 

$0,097 

$0,131 

$0,100 

$0.1. SO 

$0,109 

$0,139 

Per  yard 

.187 

.240 

.183 

.235 

.177 

.218 

.150 

.220 

.18C 

.208 

Per  yard 

.129 

.161 

.117 

.150 

.125 

.161 

.117 

.163 

.117 

.154 

Per  yard 

.194 

.246 

.179 

.244 

.167 

.212 

.15C 

.197 

.16? 

.216 

Per  yard 

.149 

.202 

.149 

.213 

.15C 

.210 

.12.' 

.183 

.152 

.213 

Per  yard 
Per  sheet 

.427 
1.142 

.523 
1.406 

.45f 
1.15( 

.546 
1.370 

.417 
1.12C 

.501 
1.340 

.42? 
l.lli 

.569 
1.392 

.90( 

1.150 

Per  yard 

.155 

.189 

.15^ 

.191 

.151 

.173 

.17( 

.188 

Omaha, 

Philadelphia. 

Pittsburgh, 

Portland, 

Providence, 

Nebr. 

Pa. 

Pa. 

Oreg. 

R.  I. 

Per  yard 

$0,095 

J0.134 

$0,125 

$0,133 

$0.10( 

>0.119 

$0,094 

$0,127 

$0,098 

$0,130 

Per  yard 

.175 

.250 

.197 

.235 

.187 

.223 

.175 

.228 

.176 

.188 

Per  yard 

.113 

.168 

.119 

.171 

.113 

.166 

.108 

.147 

.133 

.170 

Per  vard 

.15C 

.205 

.162 

.202 

.165 

.215 

.147 

.196 

.160 

.188 

Per  yard 

.140 

.187 

.157 

.213 

.159 

.201 

.143 

.200 

.152 

.217 

Per  yard 

.406 

.530 

.454 

.553 

.447 

.578 

.450 

.542 

.418 

.498 

Per  sheet 

1.100 

1.342 

1.206 

1.443 

1.147 

1.412 

1.213 

1.467 

1.105 

1.422 

Per  yard 

.144 

.189 

.149 

.182 

.153 

.193 

.167 

.176 

Calico 

Percale 

Gingham,  apron.. 
Gingham,  dress.  . 
Muslin,  bleached. 
Sheeting  .bleached 
Sheets,  bleached. 
Outing  flannel.  . . 


Richmond, 

Rochester, 

St.  Loni.s, 

St.  Paul. 

Salt  Lake 

Va. 

N.  Y. 

Mo. 

Minn. 

City.  Utah. 

Calico 

Per  yard 

$0.10.^ 

JO. 131 

$0.08( 

50.095 

$0,103 

$0,141 

$0,087 

$0,108 

$0,110 

$0,142 

Percale 

Per  yard 

.171 

.221 

.158 

.200 

.190 

.250 

.175 

.210 

.200 

.238 

Gingham,  apron.. 

Per  yard 

.122 

.168 

.115 

.150 

.125 

.I.SO 

.115 

.147 

.125 

.167 

Gingham,  dress.  . 

Per  ayrd 

.157 

.234 

.191 

.223 

.170 

.245 

.147 

.172 

.173 

.234 

Muslin,  bleached. 

Per  yard 

.169 

.222 

.144 

.201 

.142 

.193 

.169 

.208 

.149 

.203 

Sheeting, bleached 

Per  yard 

.446 

.581 

.424 

.508 

.554 

.540 

.386 

.474 

.442 

.571 

Sheets,  bleached. 

Per  sheet 

1.107 

1.392 

1.167 

1.387 

1.090 

1.318 

1.078 

1.370 

1.363 

1.638 

Outing  flannel. .  . 

Per  yard 

.148 

.184 

.156 

.200 

.156 

.195 

.142 

.170 

.168 

.216 

San  Fran- 
cisco, Cal. 

Scranton, 
Pa. 

Seattle, 
Wash. 

Springfield, 
111. 

Washington, 
D.  C. 

Calico 

Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  yard 
Per  sheet 
Per  yard 

$6 .208 
.125 
.163 
.161 
.493 
1.270 
.162 

50.250 
.193 
.214 
.230 
.626 
1 .  540 
.213 

$0,088 
.190 
.110 
.151 
.145 
.422 
1.070 
.150 

$0,125 
.220 
.158 
.185 
.198 
.546 
1.320 
.190 

$0,103 
.200 
.125 
.164 
.170 
.526 
1.313 
.170 

$0,150 
.250 
.190 
.219 
.209 
.626 
1.538 
.214 

$0,100 

$0,125 

$0,102 
.178 
.134 
.194 
.154 
.461 
1.138 
.168 

$0,130 

0.217 

192 

.257 

.219 

.601 

1.563 

.198 

Percale 

Gingham,  apron. . 
Gingham,  dress.  . 
Muslin,  bleached. 
Sheet  ing,bleached 
Sheets,  bleached.. 
Outing  flannel... 

.125 
.146 
.146 
.448 
1.225 
.142 

.165 
.207 
.190 
.520 
1.625 
.173 

64 


RETAIL  PRICES. 


8.— RELATION  BETWEEN  CHANGES  IN  WHOLESALE 
AND  RETAIL  PRICES,  1913-1917. 


i 


The  December,  1917,  issue  of  the  Monthly  Review  of  the  United 
States  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  contains  a  very  significant  tabulation 
which  shows  the  relation  in  variations  between  wholesale  and  retail 
prices.  It  is  apparent  from  this  table,  that  fluctuations  between  retail 
and  wholesale  prices  conformed  quite  closely  to  each  other  up  to  Octo- 
ber, 1913.  Since  that  date  the  margin  between  retail  and  wholesale 
prices  has  widened  quite  materially. 


WHOLESALE   AND    RETAIL   PRICES  OF   IMPORTANT    FOOD   ARTICLES   IN   SELECTE 
CITIES,  OCTOBER,  1913  TO  1916,  AND  JANUARY,  APRIL,  JULY,  AUGUST,  SEPTEMBER 
AND  OCTOBER,  1917. 

[The  initials  W=wholesaIe;  R=retail.] 


I?  ■ 


Article  and  city. 


Bacon,    short    clear    sides, 
Chicago W 

Bacon,  sliced,  Chicago. . .  R 

Beans,     medium,     choice, 
New  York W 

Beans,  navy,  small,  white. 
New  York R 

Beef: 

Fresh,  carcass,  ChicagoW 
Round  steak,  Chicago. R 
Fresh,  sides.  New  YorkW 
Rib  roast,  bone  in.  New 
York R 

Butter,     creamery,     extra. 
Chicago W 

Butter,     creamery,     extra 
Chicago R 

Butter,     creamery,     extra. 
New  York W 

Butter,     creamery,     extra, 
New  York R 

Butter,     creamery,     extra, 
San  Francisco W 


Unit, 


Lb. 
Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 
Lb. 
Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 


October. 


1913 


$0,129 
.327 

.038 


.130 
.216 
.130 

.216 

.290 

.354 

.308 

.375 

.335 


1914 


$0,137 
.334 

.047 


.144 
.238 
.135 

.222 

.295 

.340 

.310 

.372 

.305 


1915 


$0,113 
.314 

.059 

.087 

.138 
.254 
.128 

.226 

.275 

.324 

.291 

.339 

.270 


1916 


$0,162 
.329 

.088 

.119 

.138 
.235 
.130 

.231 

.345 

.394 

.350 

.408 

.340 


1917 


Jan. 


$0,158 
.316 

.108 

.149 

.138 
.227 
.133 

.238 

.370 

.438 

.395 

.460 

.355 


Apr. 


$0,218 
.395 

.130 

.162 

.160 
.256 
.173 

.270 

.440 

.484 

.450 

.513 

.390 


July. 


$0,247 
.439 

.154 

.188 

.163 
.266 
.163 

.279 

.375 

.432 

.395 

.453 

.385 


Aug. 


$0,261 
.429 

.150 

.189 

.168 
.273 
.170 

.286 

.394 

.448 

.408 

.470 

.435 


Sept. 


$0,274 
.476 

.135 

.185 

.190 
.281 
.185 

.298 

.425 

.484 

.444 

.507 

.435 


Oct. 


$0,318 
.475 

.138 

.185 

.190 

.273 
.183 

.298 

.435 

.487 

.443 

.515 

.460 


iWhoIesale  prices  of  fancy  patent  flour  at  St.  Louis  for  the  months  shown  in  the  November  issue  of  the 
Monthly  Review  and  not  in  the  present  issue  are  as  follows:  September,  1913,  $4,300;  September,  1914, 
$5,324;  September,  1915,  $5,200;  September,  1916,  $7,300. 


RETAIL    PRICES. 


65 


U  HOLESALE   AND    RETAIL    PRICES   OF    IMPORTANT    FOOD    ARTICLES    IN    SELECTED 

CITIES.  ETC.— Concluded. 


Article  and  city 


Butter,     creamery,     extra, 
San  Francisco R 

Cheese,  whole  milk,  Ameri- 
can twins,  Chicago. .  .  .W 

Cheese,  full  cream.  Ameri- 
can, Chicago R 

Cheese,  whole  milk.  State, 
New  York W 

Cheese,  full  cream,  Ameri- 
can, New  York R 

Cheese,    fancy,    California 
flats,  San  Francisco .  .  .  W 

Cheese,  full  cream,  Ameri- 
can, San  Francisco .  .  .  .  R 

Eggs,     fresh,     firsts,     Chi- 
cago   W 

Eggs,    strictly    fresh,    Chi- 
cago   R 

Eggs,     fresh,     firsts,     New 
York W 

Eggs,    strictly   fresh.    New 
York R 

Eggs,  fresh,  extra,  pullets' 
San  Francisco W 

Eggs,    strictly    fresh,    San 
Francisco R 

Flour,  winter  patents,  Kan 
sas  City W 

Flour,  Aristos,  Kansas  City 
R 

Flour,     standard     patents 
Minneapolis W 

Flour,      Pillsbury's      Best 
Minneapolis R 

Flour,    fancy    patents,    St 
Louis W 

Flour, Gold  Medal,  St.  Louis 
R 

Ham,  Smoked,  Chicago.  .W 

Ham,  smoked,  sliced,  Chi- 
cago   R 

Lamb,  dressed,  round,  Chi- 
cago   W 

Lamb,  leg  of,  yearling,  Chi 
cago R 

Lard,  prime,  contract.  New 
York W 

Lard,  pure,  tub.  New  York 
R 

Meal,    corn,    fine,    yellow, 
New  York W 

Meal,  corn.  New  York. .  .R 

Milk,  fresh,  Chicago.  .  .    W 

Milk,  fresh,  bottled,  deliv- 
ered, Chicago R 

Milk,  fresh.  New  York.  .W 

Milk,  fresh,  bottled,  deliv- 
ered. New  York R 

Milk, fresh, San  Francisco  W 

Milk,  fresh,  bottled,  deliv- 
vered,  San  Francisco.  .R 

Potatoes,    white,    good    to 
choice,  Chicago W 

Potatoes,  Chicago R 

Poultry,  dressed  fowls.  New 
York W 

Poultry,  hens,  dressed.  New 
York R 

Rice,  head,  Honduras,  New 
Orleans W 

Rice,  head,  Louisiana,  New 
Orleans R 

Sugar,     granulated.     New 
York W 

Sugar,     granulated.     New 
York R 


Unit. 


Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Doz 

Doz 

Doz 

Doz 

Doz 

Doz 

Bbl 

Bbl. 

Bbl. 

Bbl. 

Bbl. 

Bbl. 
Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 
Lb. 
Qt. 

Qt. 
Qt. 

Qt. 
Qt. 

Qt. 

Bu. 
Bu. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 

Lb. 


October. 


1913      1914      1915      1916 


$0,400 
.153 


.161 


.165 


.255 

.333 

.290 

.479 

.350 

.564 

4.075 

5.900 

4.450 

5.600 

4.150 

6.200 
.164 

.320 

.135 

.198 

.107 

.163 

.016 
.035 
.040 

.080 
.040 

.090 
.039 

.100 

.605 
1.020 

.185 

.218 

.051 


$0,379 
.128 


.145 


.130 


.042 
.049 


.220 

.301 

.250 

.421 

.335 

.533 

5.075 

6.534 

5.750 

7.000 

5.075 

7.400 
.173 

.346 

.135 

.204 

.102 

.159 

.019 
.036 
.043 

.080 
.040 

.090 
.039 

.100 

.480 
.775 

.195 

.223 

.048 


.059 
.066 


$0,342 

.140 

.230 

.148 

.234 

.165 

.226 

.253 

.340 

.300 

.456 

.385 

.542 

5.050 

7.300 

5.550 

6.400 

5.325 

6.880 
.163 

.328 

.155 

.204 

.100 

.150 

.017 
.035 
.039 

.080 
.038 

.090 
.038 

.100 

.615 
.796 

.220 

.220 

.043 

.070 

.048 

.O54I 


$0,404 

.186 

.277 

.208 

.255 

.165 

.238 

.308 

.383 

^.345 

.517 

.435 

.558 

7.550 

9.700 

8.850 

10.000 

7.600 

9.667 
.193 

.359 

.170 

.223 

.152 

.196 

.021 
.044 
.045 

.090 
.050 

.098 
.038 

.100 

1.200 
1.640 

.230 

.259 

.043 

.073 

.070 

.074 


1917 


$0,425 
.218 
.321 
.220 
.301 
.180 
.242 
.485 
.525 
.505 
.667 
.380 
.480 
8.950 

10.600 
9.450 

10.800 

8.675 

10.587 
.188 

.333 

.200 

.232 

.159 

.213 

.027 
.051 
.045 

.100 
.051 

.100 
.038 

.100 

1.750 
2.370 

.220 

.261 

.048 

.074 

.066 

.074 


$0,452 

.223 

.327 

.245 

.335 

•  .215 

.297 

.305 

.376 

.330 

.424 

.280 

.374 

11.450 

13.689 

11.025 

13.200 

11.375 

12.853 
.243 

.382 

.220 

.263 

.215 

.263 

.031 
.057 
.054 

.100 
.049 

.109 
.038 

.100 

2.700 
3.455 

.265 

.293 

.049 

.088 

.081 

.087 


July. 

Aug. 

$0,455 

$0,504 

.216 

.215 

.339 

.342 

.238 

.229 

.328 

.331 

.200 

.235 

.297 

.306 

.310 

.323 

.406 

.428 

.350 

.380 

.477 

.544 

.320 

.370 

.392 

.475 

11.150 

12.900 

13.680 

14.320 

12.000 

13.200 

13.424 

14.336 

11.375 

12.875 

13.200 
.243 

14.800 
.233 

.414 

.407 

.260 

.230 

.287 

.288 

.201 

.226 

.274 

.275 

.040 
.070 
.047 

.052 
.067 
.051 

.100 
.050 

.100 
.060 

.114 
.043 

.125 
.043 

.100 

.100 

2.625 
2.975 

1.600 
2.012 

.248 

.240 

.287 

.288 

.071 

.072 

.101 

.103 

.074 

.082 

.084 

.090 

$0,530 

.240 

.344 

.244 

.338 

.235 

.316 

.385 

.465 

.413 

.592 

.430 

.538 

10.700 

13.289 

11.350 

12.208 

10.800 

13.700 
.263 

.439 

.280 

.320 

.240 

.294 

.050 
.076 
.051 

.100 
.060 

.124 
.058 

.121 

1.250 
1.623 

.258 

.316 

.070 

.101 

.082 

.092 


$0,545 

.246 

.368 

.255 

.340 

.220 

.316 

.370 

.469 

.400 

.627 

.435 

.608 

10.500 

13.066 

10.550 

11.984 

11.250 

13.100 
.283 

.439 

.270 

.314 

.246 

.313 

.049 
.082 
.074 

.129 
.072 

.138 
.059 

.121 

1.135 
1.184 

.285 

.323 

.077 

.100 

.082 

.097 


66 


RETAIL    PRICES. 


"A  comparison  of  wholesale  and  retail  price  fluctuations,  expressed 
as  percentages  of  the  price  in  October,  1913,  is  contained  in  the  table 
that  follows.  It  will  be  seen  from  this  table  that  the  wholesale  prices 
of  practically  all  articles  in  October,  1917,  had  increased  to  a  larger 
extent  than  had  retail  prices.  This  is  particularly  noticeable  in  the 
case  of  bacon,  flour,  ham,  lamb,  lard,  meal,  milk,  and  potatoes.  Of 
the  22  articles  included  in  this  table,  only  1,  granulated  sugar,  showed 
a  larger  per  cent  of  increase  in  the  retail  than  in  the  wholesale  price. 
In  nearly  all  instances  retail  prices  were  relatively  lower  in  the  other 
months  shown  in  the  table  than  were  wholesale  prices. 


RELATIVE  PRICES,  WHOLESALE  AND  RETAIL.  OF  IMPORTANT  FOOD  ARTICLES  IN 
SELECTED  CITIES,  IN  OCTOBER,  1914,  1915,  AND  1916.  AND  IN  JANUARY,  APRIL,  JULY, 
AUGUST,  SEPTEMBER,  AND  OCTOBER,  1917,  COMPARED  WITH  OCTOBER.  1913. 

[The  initials  W=wholesale;  R=retail.] 


Article  and  city. 


October. 

1917 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

Jan. 

Apr. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

100 

106 

88 

126 

122 

169 

191 

202 

212 

247 

100 

102 

96 

101 

97 

121 

134 

131 

146 

145 

100 

111 

106 

106 

106 

123 

125 

129 

146 

146 

100 

110 

118 

109 

105 

119 

123 

126 

130 

126 

100 

104 

98 

100 

102 

133 

125 

131 

142 

141 

100 

103 

105 

107 

110 

125 

129 

132 

138 

138 

100 

102 

95 

119 

128 

152 

129 

136 

147 

150 

100 

96 

92 

111 

124 

137 

122 

127 

137 

138 

100 

101 

94 

114 

128 

146 

128 

132 

144 

144 

100 

99 

90 

109 

123 

137 

121 

125 

135 

137 

100 

91 

81 

101 

106 

116 

115 

130 

130 

137 

100 

95 

86 

101 

106 

113 

114 

126 

133 

136 

100 

86 

99 

121 

190 

120 

122 

127 

151 

145 

100 

90 

102 

115 

158 

113 

122 

129 

140 

141 

100 

86 

103 

119 

174 

114 

121 

131 

142 

138 

100 

88 

95 

108 

139 

89 

100 

114 

124 

131 

100 

96 

110 

124 

109 

80 

91 

106 

123 

124 

100 

95 

96 

99 

85 

66 

70 

84 

95 

108 

100 

125 

124 

185 

220 

281 

274 

317 

263 

258 

100 

111 

124 

164 

180 

232 

232 

243 

225 

221 

100 

129 

125 

199 

212 

248 

270 

297 

255 

237 

100 

125 

114 

179 

193 

236 

240 

256 

218 

214 

100 

122 

128 

183 

209 

274 

274 

310 

260 

271 

100 

119 

111 

156 

171 

207 

213 

239 

221 

211 

100 

105 

99 

118 

115 

148 

148 

142 

160 

173 

100 

108 

103 

112 

104 

119 

129 

127 

137 

137 

100 

100 

115 

126 

148 

163 

193 

170 

207 

200 

100 

103 

103 

113 

117 

133 

145 

145 

162 

159 

100 

95 

93 

142 

149 

201 

188 

211 

224 

230 

100 

98 

92 

120 

131 

161 

168 

169 

180 

192 

100 

119 

106 

131 

169 

194 

250 

325 

313 

306 

100 

103 

100 

126 

146 

163 

200 

191 

217 

234 

100 

108 

98 

113 

113 

135 

118 

128 

128 

185 

100 

100 

100 

113 

125 

125 

125 

125 

125 

161 

100 

100 

95 

125 

128 

123 

125 

150 

150 

180 

100 

100 

100 

109 

111 

121 

127 

139 

138 

153 

100 

100 

97 

97 

97 

97 

110 

110 

149 

151 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

121 

121 

100 

79 

102 

198 

289 

446 

434 

264 

207 

188 

100 

76 

78 

161 

232 

339 

292 

197 

159 

116 

100 

105 

119 

124 

119 

143 

134 

130 

139 

154 

100 

102 

101 

119 

120 

134 

132 

132 

145 

148 

100 

140 

114 

167 

157 

193 

176 

195 

195 

195 

100 

135 

110 

151 

151 

178 

171 

184 

188 

198 

Bacon,  short  clear  sides.  Chicago W 

Bacon,  sliced,  Chicago R 

Beef: 

Fresh,  carcass,  Chicago W 

Round  steak,  Chicago R 

Fresh  sides,  New  York W 

Rib  roast,  bone  in.  New  York K 

Butter,  creamery,  extra,  Chicago.  .  .   W 

Butter,  creamery,  extra,  Chicago R 

Butter,  creamery,  extra,  New  York. .  .  W 
Butter,  creamery,  extra.  New  York. .  .  R 
Butter,    creamery,    extra,    San    Fran- 
cisco   W 

Butter,    creamery,    extra,    San    Fran- 
cisco   R 

Eggs,  fresh,  firsts,  Chicago W 

Eggs,  strictly  fresh,  Chicago R 

Eggs,  fresh,  firsts.  New  York W 

Eggs,  strictly  fresh,  New  York R 

Eggs,  fresh,  extra,  pullets',  San  Fran- 
cisco   W 

Eggs,  strictly  fresh,  San  Francisco.  .  .R 
Flour,  winter  patents,  Kansas  City .  .  .  W 

Flour,  Aristos,  Kansas  City .  .  . ". R 

Flour,     standard     patents,     Minneap- 
olis  W 

Flour,  Pillsbury's  Best,  Minneapolis  .  .  R 

Flour,  fancy  patents,  St.  Louis W 

Flour,  Gold  Medal,  St.  Louis R 

Ham,  smoked,  Chicago W 

Ham,  smoked,  sliced,  Chicago R 

Lamb,  dressed,  round,  Chicago W 

Lamb,  leg  of,  yearling,  Chicago R 

Lard,  prime,  contract,  New  York. . .  .  W 

Lard,  pure,  tub.  New  York R 

Meal,  corn,  fine,  yellow,  New  York..  .  W 

Meal,  corn.  New  York R 

Milk,  fresh,  Chicago W 

Milk,    fresh,    bottled,    delivered,    Chi- 
cago  R 

Milk,  fresh.  New  York W 

Milk,   fresh,    bottled,    delivered,    New 

York R 

Milk,  fresh,  San  Francisco W 

Milk,    fresh,    bottled,    delivered,    San 

Francisco R 

Potatoes,  white,  good  to  choice W 

Potatoes,  Chicago .  R 

Poultry,  dressed  fowls.  New  York .  .  .  .  W 

Poultry,  hens,  dressed.  New  York R 

Sugar,  granulated.  New  York W 

Sugar,  granulated.  New  York R 


RETAIL    PRICES. 


67 


9.— PRICE  OF  BREAD  IN  SELECTED  CITIES,  1913-1917. 


The  prices  given  below  are  the  computed  prices  of  a  loaf  scaled  at 
16  ounces — that  is,  16  ounces  of  dough — based  on  reports  secured  by 
ithe  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  of  the  actual  scaling  weights  of  the  5- 
icent  loaf  sold.  While  it  would  be  highly  desirable  to  present  the  price 
of  the  loaf  as  actually  purchased  by  the  consumer,  the  complications 
involved  in  the  relation  of  the  scaled  weight  to  the  weight  of  the  bread 
when  it  passes  over  the  retailer's  counter  were  found  to  be  such  that  it 
was  impossible  to  do  so.  The  loss  of  weight  in  baking  varies  with  the 
formula,  with  the  style  of  loaf,  and  with  the  temperature  of  the  oven. 
Furthermore,  the  weight,  of  course,  varies  with  the  time  intervening 
between  the  removal  of  the  loaf  from  the  oven  and  its  delivery  to  the 
consumer,  the  loss  by  evaporation  also  being  partly  determined  by  the 
conditions  under  which  the  bread  is  kept  and  by  the  state  of  the  atmos- 
phere. 

The  customary  loss  in  baking  is  variously  estimated  by  bakers,  but 
it  may  be  said  that  a  loaf  weighing  16  ounces  before  baking  will,  when 
baked  and  cooled,  weigh  about  14>^  ounces. 

It  must  be  borne  clearly  in  mind  that  the  price  of  bread  varies  with 
the  kind  of  bread  and  the  quality  of  materials  used  in  its  composition. 

No  fancy,  special,  graham,  rye,  or  restaurant  breads  are  included 
in  these  prices. 

The  following  table  shows  the  price  of  a  loaf  of  bread  weighing  16 
ounces  before  baking  in  16  important  industrial  cities  of  the  United 
States,  on  August  15  of  each  year,  1913,  1914,  1915,  and  1916,  and 
October  15,  1917. 


PRICE  OF  A  LOAF  OF  BREAD  WEIGHING  16  OUNCES  BEFORE  BAKING  ON  THE  ISTH  OF 
AUGUST,  1913  TO  1916.  AND  OCTOBER  15,  1917. 


City. 


Atlanta,  Ga 

Baltimore,  Md .... 
Birmingham,  Ala. . 

Chicago,  111 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. . . 
Cleveland,  Ohio.  . . 

Dallas,  Tex 

Denver,  Colo 

Minneapolis,  Minn 
New  Haven,  Conn, 
New  Orleans,  La. . 
New  York,  N.  Y .  . 

Portland,  Ore 

St.  Louis,  Mo 

San  Francisco,  Cal 
Washington,  D.  C. 


Price  of  loaf  on 

August  15, 

August  15, 

August  15, 

August  15, 

October  15, 

1913. 

1914. 

1915. 

1916. 

1917. 

$0,056 

$0,054 

$0,061 

$0,063 

$0,091 

.050 

.050 

.057 

.056 

.082 

.047 

.049 

.054 

.057 

.094 

.052 

.053 

.058 

.058 

.093 

.043 

.044 

.052 

.051 

.081 

.050 

.051 

.054 

.056 

.089 

.051 

.050 

.060 

.060 

.088 

.049 

.048 

.055 

.057 

.089 

.050 

.050 

.058 

.057 

.092 

.053 

.053 

.056 

.057 

.089 

.044 

.041 

.049 

.048 

.077 

.055 

.059 

.060 

.059 

.088 

.049 

.049 

.055 

.054 

.086 

.049 

.050 

.062 

.057 

.093 

.054 

.054 

.057 

.056 

.083 

.052 

.051 

.056 

.059 

.090 

68 


RETAIL    PRICES. 


10.— RETAIL  PRICES  OF  COAL,  1907-1917. 

Reports  as  to  retail  coal  prices  are  received  by  the  Bureau  of  Labo 
Statistics  from  approximately  250  coal  dealers  in  the  same  44  cities  fro 
which  reports  are  received  as  to  retail  prices  of  food. 

The  table  given  herewith  shows  the  relative  prices  of  Pennsylvani 
anthracite  stove  and  chestnut  coal  and  of  bituminous  coal  on  January 
15th,  for  the  years  of  1907-1917,  inclusive. 

RELATIVE  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  COAL  EACH  YEAR,  1907-1917,  INCLUSIVE,  AND  ON 
JANUARY  15  AND  JULY  15,  OF  EACH  YEAR  OF  THE  SAME  PERIOD. 

[Average  price  for  1915  =100.] 


Month  and  Year. 


January,  1907 
January,  1908 
January,  1909 
January,  1910 
January,  1911 
January,  1912 
January,  1913 
January,  1914 
January,  1915 
January,  1916 
January,  1917 


Pennsylvania 

white  ash, 

stove. 


94 
95 
95 
95 
95 
96 
104 
100 
101 
103 
122 


Pennsylvania 
white  ash, 
chestnut. 


92 
94 
94 
94 
94 
96 
103 
100 
101 
103 
121 


Bituminous 


102 
103 
99 
100 
103 
100 
105 
106 
102 
101 
138 


11.— PRICE   OF  MANUFACTURED  AND  NATURAL  GAS, 

1915-1917. 


The  following  table  shows  the  returns  made  by  gas  companies  to  the 
Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  by  cities,  during  the  period,  1915-1917. 

PRICE  OF  MANUFACTURED  AND  NATURAL  GAS  PER  1,000  CUBIC  FEET,  BY  COMPANIES 

AND  CITIES,  1915-1917. 


City  and  company. 

Price  per  1 ,000  cubic  feet. 

October   15, 
1915. 

April  15, 
1916. 

April  15, 
1917. 

Atlanta,  Ga     

$1.00 
.80 
.95 

.80 
.80 
.80 

$1.00 

.75 
.95 

.80 

.80 

.80 

1.00 

1.00 

1.50 

1.10 

.80 

.80 

.80 

.75 

1.30 

.80 

.55 

1.15 

1.00 

1.00 

$1.00 
.75 
.95 

.80 

.80 

.80 

1.00 

1.00 

Baltimore,  Md 

Birmingham,  Ala     

Boston,  Mass.: 

Company  B     ... 

Bridgeport,  Conn 

Buffalo,  N.  Y 

1.00 

1.50 

1.10 

.80 

.80 

.80 

.75 

1.30 

.80 

.55 

1.15 

1.00 

1.00 

Butte,  Mont 

Charleston   S.  C  , . 

1.00 
.80 
.80 
.80 

.75 

Chicago,  111 

Cleveland,  Ohio 

Detroit,  Mich 

EI  Paso,  Tex 

Fall  River,  Mass 

.80 

.55 

1.15 

1.00 

1.00 

Indianapolis,  Ind 

Manchester,  N.  H 

Memphis,  Tenn . 

RETAIL   PRICES. 


69 


PRICE  OF  MANUFACTURED  AND  NATURAL  GAS  PER  1,000  CUBIC  FEET,  BY  COMPANIES 
AND  CITIES,  1915-1917— Continued. 


City  and  company. 

Price  per  1,000  cubic  feet. 

October  15, 
1915. 

April  15, 
1916. 

April  15, 
1917. 

$0.75 

.80 

.90 

.90 

1.00 

.80 
.80 
.95 
.80 
.80 
.80 
.80 
.80 
.80 
1.00 
1.00 

1.00 

1.00 
.95 
.85 
.90 

$0.75 

.77 

.90 

.90 

1.00 

.80 
.80 
.95 
.80 
.80 
.80 
.80 
.80 
.80 
1.00 
1.00 

1.00 

1.00 
.95 
.85 
.80 

$0.75 

.77 

.90 

.90 

1.00 

.80 

.80 

2.95 

.80 

.80 

.80 

■    .80 

.80 

.80 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 

1.00 
.95 
.85 
.80 
.95 
.75 
.85 

1.90 
.85 

.95 
1.20 
1.00 
1.00 

.75 
.85 

Minneapolis,  Minn 

Newark,  N.J 

New  Haven,  Conn 

New  York,  N.  Y.: 

Company  A 

Company  D 

Company  F 

Company  H 

Company  J 

Omaha   Nebr 

Philadelphia,  Pa 

Pittsburgh,  Pa.: 

Portland,  Ore 

Rochester,  N.  Y     .    . 

.80 
.90 
1.90 
.85 

.95 
1.20 
1.00 
1.00 

.85 
1.00 

.80 
.85 
1.90 
.85 

.95 
1.20 
1.00 
1.00 

.85 
1.00 

St.  Paul,  Minn 

Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 

San  Francisco,  Cal 

Scranton,  Pa.:    • 

Company  A 

Seattle,  Wash 

Springfield,  111 

Washington,  D.  C: 

Company  B 

NATURAL  GAS. 


Buffalo,  N.  Y     .    . 

$0.30 
.30 
.30 

$0.30 
.30 
.30 

$0.30 
.35 
.30 
.30 
.45 
.30 
.40 

.645 
.648 

.n\ 

.30 

.27i 
.27- 
.27i 

Cincinnati,  Ohio 

Cleveland,  Ohio 

Dallas,  Tex 

.45 
.27 
.40 

.645 
.648 

.271 

.30 

.27^ 

.27J 

.27i 

.45 
.27 
.40 

.645 
.648 

.27^ 
.30 

.n\ 

Kansas  City,  Mo 

Little  Rock,  Ark 

Los  Angeles,  Cal.: 

Company  B 

Pittsburgh.  Pa.: 

Company  D 

Company  G 

1  Rate  entered  is  for  first  2,000  cubic  feet;  next  20,000  cubic  feet,  80  cents;  all  over  22,000  cubic 
feet,  70  cents. 

2  Rate  being  contested. 

MANUFACTURED  AND  NATURAL  GAS  MIXED. 


City  and  company. 

Price  per  1,000  cubic  feet. 

October  15, 
1915. 

April  15, 
1916. 

April  15, 
1917. 

Los  Angeles,  Cal.: 

Company  A 

$0.68 
.68 

$0.68 
.68 

$0.68 

70 


RETAIL   PRICES. 


12.— RELATIVE  COST  OF  FOOD  IN  THE 
PRINCIPAL  AMERICAN  CITIES. 

The  following  table,  which  was  prepared  by  Professor  Ogburn,  of  thii( 
University  of  Washington,  is  of  interest  and  value  in  showing  com- 
parative prices  of  foodstuffs  in  the  principal  American  cities.  It  ij 
based  on  prices  contained  in  a  Bulletin  of  the  United  States  Bureati. 
of  Labor  Statistics  (Whole  Number  156). 

RELATIVE    COST    OF    FOOD    IN    LEADING    CITIES. 
[Portland,  Oregon  =100]. 


Minneapolis. .  . 

St  Paul 

Denver 

Milwaukee .  .  .  . 

Cincinnati 

Detroit 

St.  Louis 

Buffalo 

Portland 

Baltimore 

Chicago 

Salt  Lake  City 

Omaha 

Kansas  City. . . 

Richmond 

Memphis 

Seattle 

Springfield  .  .  .  . 
Indianapolis. . . 

Cleveland 

Atlanta 

New  Orleans .  . 


92.7 
94.8 
96.2 
97.6 
97.8 
98.1 
98.2 
98.8 
100. 
100.2 
101.3 
101.9 
102.3 
102.4 
102.. S 
102.7 
102.8 
103.5 
103.6 
104.4 
104.4 
104.6 


Manchester.  . 
Schenectady. . 

Scranton 

Washington .  . 
Little  Rock... 
Pittsburgh.  .  . 
San  Francisco 
New  York..  . 
Philadelphia. . 

Dallas 

Boston 

Charleston .  .  . 
Louisville  .  .  .  . 
Los  Angeles .  . 
Fall  River. . . . 
New  Haven .  . 
Providence . . . 
Jacksonville.  . 

Newark 

Birmingham. . 


105.7 

106. 

106.3 

106.4 

106.6 

106.6 

106.6 

106.7 

107.5 

107.6 

108.4 

108.6 

109. 

110.3 

110.3 

110.8 

112.5 

113. 

114.1 

115.1 


13.— RETAIL  PRICES  IN  24  CITIES. 

PREPARED  FOR  COMMITTEE  ON  HEALTH  OF  CITY 

COUNCIL  OF  CITY  OF  CHICAGO,  BY  FREDERICK 

REX,  MUNICIPAL  REFERENCE  LIBRARIAN. 

This  pamphlet  contains  retail  prices  of  20  principal  articles  of  food 
as  of  November  1,  1916,  in  24  cities  of  the  United  States.  For  purposes, 
of  comparison  the  following  table  is  of  interest. 


AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICE  OF  THE  20  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD  IN  EACH  OF  THE  24  CITIES 


Rank. 

Average 
retail  price. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 
16. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 
23. 
24. 

$0.45 
.42 
.41 
.40 
.40 
.40 

Los  Angeles,  Cal 

Philadelphia,  Pa 

Toledo,  Ohio 

Baltimore,  Md 

Pittsburgh,  Pa 

Birmingham,  Ala.         .          ...            ... 

Chicago,  111 

.38 
.38 
.38 
.38 
.38 
.37 
.37 
.37 
.36 
.35 
.34 
.33 
.32 
.31 
.31 
.30 
.25 

Milwaukee,  Wis .• 

Minneapolis,  Minn 

Rochester,  N.  Y 

New  York  City 

Jersey  City 

Atlanta,  Ga 

Cleveland,  Ohio     ...                            .        . 

Dayton,  Ohio 

Indianapolis,  Ind 

Oakland.  Cal     . . 

Kansas  City,  Mo 

RETAIL    PRICES.  71 

14.— REPORT   OF  THE  RHODE  ISLAND   COMMISSION. 

The  Food  Products  Report  of  the  Commission  on  Living  Costs  in 
Rhode  Island,  on  January  29,  1917,  published  as  part  of  its  findings 
the  following  data  as  to  the  increase  in  retail  prices  in  Rhode  Island 
(luring  the  year  ending  November  1,  1916.     (pp.  16-20). 

FOOD  PRICES. 

"So  many  factors  enter  into  the  fixing  of  prices  for  food,  such  as 
grades,  special  sales,  quality  of  containers,  frequency  of  deliveries,  and 
kngth  of  credit,  that  it  is  difficult  to  compare  prices  in  one  store  with 
{)rices  for  the  same  commodities  in  another  store  upon  any  fixed  date. 
It  is  even  more  difficult  to  accurately  compare  prices  for  a  certain  num- 
ber of  commodities  from  year  to  year,  but  it  is  believed  that  fair  com- 
parisons are  obtainable  when  prices  for  a  certain  number  of  commodities 
are  secured  from  more  than  a  hundred  stores  upon  a  certain  date,  and 
the  average  of  these  prices  be  compared  with  average  prices  for  the 
>ame  commodities  in  the  same  stores  upon  the  same  date  of  the  pre- 
(  eding  year. 

"The  statistics  presented  in  the  following  tables  are  based  upon  prices 
obtained  as  of  November  1,  1916,  in  110  representative  stores  in  the 
State  of  Rhode  Island,  of  which  32  were  in  Providence,  20  in  the  cities 
nt  Pawtucket  and  Central  Falls,  10  in  Woonsocket,  9  in  Newport  and 
^9  in  other  populous  sections  of  the  State. 

*The  average  wholesale  prices  for  table  necessities  show  an  average 
increase  of  27.8  per  cent,  November  1,  1916,  as  compared  with  the 
average  wholesale  prices  for  the  same  necessities,  November  1,  1915; 
while  the  average  increase  in  retail  prices  for  the  same  comparative 
period  equals  23.4  per  cent. 

'*It  is  noticeable  that  wholesale  prices  show  increases  averaging  4.4 
per  cent  more  than  the  average  increase  in  retail  prices. 

"Increase  of  more  than  50  per  cent  in  both  wholesale  and  retail  prices 
are  found  in  the  following:  Beans,  60  per  cent;  bread  flour,  58.8  per 
cent  by  the  barrel  and  62.5  per  cent  by  the  bag;  currants,  72.3  per  cent; 
lard,  compound,  56.3  per  cent;  lard,  pure,  57.1  per  cent;  cabbage,  115.7 
per  cent;  potatoes,  98.5  per  cent;  and  yellow  onions,  62.5  per  cent. 

"Only  one  article  in  the  list  of  wholesale  prices  (fresh  pork)  shows  a 
decrease  in  1916  over  1915,  and  upon  investigating  the  reason  therefor 
it  was  found  that  an  abnormal  wholesale  supply  on  hand  November  1, 
1916,  compared  with  November  1,  1915,  caused  a  temporary  reduction 
in  wholesale  quotations. 

"Rice  is  the  only  article  of  food  which  shows  any  reduction  in  retail 
prices,  and  that  but  an  infinitesimal  one. 

"It  should  be  noted  that  since  November  1,  1916,  sharp  advances 
have  taken  place  in  a  number  of  articles  of  food,  noticeable  among 
which  are  the  advances  which  have  caused  almost  prohibitive  prices 
for  flour  and  potatoes. 

"Other  than  for  pork  products,  the  advance  in  meats,  compared  with 
many  other  articles  of  food,  has  been  comparatively  small.  The  reason 
is  undoubtedly  because  meats  have  reached  a  point  where  the  average 


72  RETAIL    PRICES. 

family  has  curtailed  its  purchases  in  this  direction  and  refuses  to  pay 
higher  prices,  the  result  being  that  meats  are  disposed  of  in  the  average 
retail  store  or  market  with  a  much  less  margin  of  profit,  if  any  at  all, 
than  for  any  other  articles  of  food. 

"In  connection  with  the  investigation  of  retail  prices  for  1916,  a  num- 
ber of  facts  have  been  ascertained  which  it  is  believed  are  so  important 
in  connection  with  the  tabulation  of  average  prices  that  they  should  be 
made  a  matter  of  record. 

"The  live-cent  loaf  of  bread,  16  ounces  to  the  loaf,  has  been  almost 
entirely  superseded  by  the  six-cent  loaf  of  13  ounces;  although  a  few 
large  stores  operating  their  own  bakeries  at  the  time  of  this  investigation 
were  selling  a  16-ounce  loaf  of  bread  for  five  cents. 

"Domestic  or  near-by  eggs  may  be  classed  as  an  article  of  food,  prices 
for  which  are  fixed  in  accordance  with  season  and  proximity  to  markets. 
In  suburban  or  country  stores  the  price  for  eggs  is  generally  five  cents 
per  dozen  cheaper  than  in  the  cities  of  the  state,  and  variations  in  cityr 
prices  are  apt  to  be  the  result  of  mixing  selected  fresh  Western  eggs  with ' 
domestic  eggs,  thereby  reducing  the  average  cost  to  the  dealer. 

"Prices  for  fresh  meats  are  so  affected  by  quality  or  grade,  and  style 
of  trimming,  that  the  variations  between  high  and  low  prices  for  lamb 
and  mutton  chops,  roasts,  and  steaks  of  all  kinds  produce  prices  which  as 
presented  seem  abnormally  low. 

"Such  low  prices  as  help  to  make  up  the  average  for  the  110  stores 
visited  are  not  necessarily  economical  ones,  as  the  waste  and  quality 
which  accompanies  such  prices  are  apt  to  deduct  from  their  real  worth. 

"Prices  for  coffee  and  tea  are  so  dependent  upon  quality  and  brand 
that  comparative  prices  for  the  same  are  rather  misleading.  Retail 
prices  for  coffee  range  from  17  to  40  cents  and  for  so-called  Formosa 
tea  from  22  cents  to  $1.00  per  pound. 

"Imported  rnacaroni  and  spaghetti  have  been  almost  entirely  super- 
seded by  the  domestic  article  during  the  past  two  years,  so  much  so,  in 
fact,  that  but  few  stores  can  be  found  which  are  carrying  the  imported 
product. 

"The  sharp  advances  in  prices  for  cabbage,  potatoes  and  onions  are 
due  to  short  crops  caused  by  unseasonable  weather,  although  there  is 
no  reason  for  believing  that  even  under  normal  conditions  these  articles 
of  food  would  not  have  risen  in  proportion  to  the  rise  in  other  table 
necessaries  during  the  past  year. 

"Other  than  for  reductions  in  prices  which  always  come  in  certain 
seasons  of  the  year,  there  is  little  hope  of  any  general  reduction  in  the 
cost  of  food  until  exports  are  reduced  for  one  reason  or  another." 


RETAIL    PRICES. 


73 


I  ABLE  I.— AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRICES,  45  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD  IN  THE  CITY  OF 
PROVIDENCE,  SHOWING  COMPARATIVE  PRICES  FOR  NOVEMBER  1.  1915  AND  1916. 


Foda. 


Average 

prices. 

Percent  of 

November  1 , 

November  1, 

Increase 
for  1916. 

1915. 

1916. 

$4,125 

$7,292 

76.8 

.296 

.371 

25.4 

.193 

.229 

18.6 

.238 

.238 

00.0 

.487 

.592 

21.6 

.382 

.427 

11.8 

.261 

.321 

23.0 

.139 

.161 

15.8 

6.15 

8.37 

36.1 

6.064 

10.114 

66.8 

5.48 

8.82 

60.9 

.124 

.208 

67.7 

.098 

.106 

8.2 

.099 

.119 

20.2 

.105 

.158 

50.5 

.115 

.184 

60.0 

.079 

.088 

11.4 

.0195 

.0305 

56.4 

.031 

.037 

1.9 

.179 

.207 

10.1 

.188 

.231 

22.9 

.176 

.222 

26.1 

.159 

.198 

24.5 

.154 

.162 

5.2 

.13 

.152 

16.9 

.182 

.167 

*— 8.2 

.117 

.158 

35.0 

.114 

.123 

7.9 

.153 

.17 

11.1 

.134 

.147 

9.7 

.12 

.124 

3.3 

.117 

.124 

6.0 

.086 

.091 

5.8 

.175 

.203 

16.0 

.046 

.055 

19.6 

.39 

.432 

10.8 

2.166 

2.475 

14.3 

.066 

.066 

00.0 

.012 

.014 

16.7 

.079 

.088 

11.4 

.056 

.078 

39.3 

.335 

.343 

2.4 

.006 

.025 

150.0 

.86 

1.74 

102.3 

1.116 

1.781 

59.6 

i'.ians,  pea,  York  State,  per  bu. . .  . 
Butter,  creamery,  tub,  per  lb 

lieese,  creamery,  per  lb 

■iTee,  per  lb 

.^'^3,  domestic,  per  doz 

-;«?,  fresh.  Western,  per  doz.  ;  . .  . 
;l;s,'  storage,  per  doz 

isli,  cod,  cured,  boneless,  per  lb.  . 
!')ur,  rye,  per  bbl.  (196  lbs.) 

our,  wheat,  bread,  per  bbl.  .  ;  .  .  . 

our,  wheat,  pastry,  per  bbl 

lit,  currants,  per  lb 

I  iiit,  prunes,  Calif.,  per  lb 

niit,  raisins,  seeded,  per  lb 

ird,  compound,  per  lb 

I  rd,  pure,  per  lb 

.l:icaroni,  domestic,  per  lb. 

Meal,  corn,  per  lb 

Meal,  oat,  per  lb 

Meat,  bacon,  per  lb '.   . 

Meat,  fowl,  native,  per  lb 

Meat,  fowl,  Western,  per  lb 

Meat,  hams,  wiiole,  per  lb ;.  . 

Meat,  lambs,  whole,  per  lb 

Meat,  mutton,  whole,  per  lb 

Meat,  pork,  fresh,  per  lb 

Meat,  pork,  salt,  per  lb 

Meat,  beef,  sides,  per  lb 

Meat,  beef,  loins  and  rumps,  per  lb 
Meat,  beef,  standing  ribs,  per  lb. . . 

Meat,  beef,  legs,  per  lb 

Meat,  beef,  chucks,  per  lb 

Meat,  beef,  plates,  per  lb 

Meat,  sausage,  per  lb 

Meat,  tripe,  per  lb 

Molasses,  New  Orleans,  per  gal 

Oil,  Olive,  imported,  per  gal 

Rice,  Carolina,  per  lb 

Salt,  table,  per  lb 

Spaghetti,  domestic,  per  lb 

Sugar,  granulated,  per  lb 

Tea,  Formosa,  per  lb 

Vegetables,  cabbage,  per  lb 

Vegetables,  potatoes,  per  bu 

Vegetables,  onions,  yellow,  per  bu. 


♦Decrease, 


74 


RETAIL   PRICES. 


Table  II.— AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES,  59  ARTICLES  OF  FOOD  IN  110  RHODE  ISLAND 
STORES,  SHOWING  COMPARATIVE  PRICES  FOR  NOVEMBER   1,   1915  AND   1916. 


Food. 

Average  prices. 

Percent  of 

Increase 

or  decrease 

November  1 , 
1915. 

November  1, 
1916. 

$.15 
13.5  oz. 

$.24 
12.53  oz. 
12.10 
$.432 

.279 

.306 

.639 

.473 

.374 

.19 

.051 

11.435 

1.429 

9.996 

1.262 

.212 

.139 

.138 

.172 

.209 

.148 

.043 

.066 

.256 

.205 

.162 

.285 

.266 

.239 

.170 

.254 

.342 

.373 

.123 

.203 

.246 

.303 

.233 

.197 

.242 

.332 

.251 

.222 

.418 

.383 

.389 

.328 

.299 

.114 

.614 

.924 

.094 

.015 

.147 
12.07  lbs. 
$.041 
1.985 

.569 

60.00 

7.2 

Bread,  no.  oz.  per  5c  loaf 

Bread,  no.  oz.  per  6c  loaf 

Butter,  creamery,  tub,  per  lb 

$.333 
.222 
.303 
.58 
.40 
.31 
.168 
.043 

7.20 
.879 

6.30 
.766 
.123 
.134 
.121 
.11 
.133 
.13 
.036 
.045 
.223 
.195 
.153 
.248 
.225 
.189 
.  158 
.205 
.316 
.  365 
.117 
.197 
.225 
.277 
.203 
.155 
.229 
.318 
.213 
.216 
.405 
.378 
.373 
.316 
.285 
.104 
.588 
.855 
.095 
.015 
.131 
15.5  lbs. 

$.019 

1.00 

.35 

29.73 

25.67 

1.01 

10,17 

18.25 

20.64 

13.10 

18.60 

58.82 

62.57 

58.51 

64.77 

72.35 

3.73 

14.05 

56.36 

57.14 

13.85 

19.44 

46.66 

14.79 

5.12 

5.88 

14.91 

18.22 

26.45 

7.59 

23.90 

8.23 

2.19 

5.13 

3.05 

9.33 

9.38 

14.77 

27.09 

5.67 

4.40 

17.84 

2.77 

3.21 

1.33 

4.29 

3.80 

4.91 

9.62 

4.42 

8.07 

*— .10 

.00 

12.21 

22.14 

115.79 

98.5 

62.57 

Coffee,  per  lb 

Eggs,  domestic,  per  doz 

Eg^s,  storage,  per  doz 

Flour,  rye,  per  lb 

Flour,  wheat  bread,  per  bag 

Flour,  wheat  pastry,  per  bbl 

Fruit,  currants,  per  lb 

Fruit,  raisins,  seeded,  per  lb 

Lard,  pure,  per  lb 

Meal,  corn,  per  lb 

Meal,  oat,  per  lb 

Meat,  bacon,  sliced,  per  lb 

Meat,  corned  beef,  brisket,  per  lb 

Meat,  corned  beef,  other,  per  lb 

Meat,  fowl,  native,  per  lb  .    . . 

Meat,  fowl.  Western,  per  lb 

Meat,  ham,  whole,  smoked,  per  lb 

Meat,  lamb,  legs,  per  lb 

Meat,  lamb,  chops,  rib,  per  lb 

Meat,  lamb,  chops,  loin,  per  lb 

Meat,  mutton,  forequarters,  per  lb 

Meat,  mutton,  legs,  per  lb 

Meat,  mutton  chops,  rib,  per  lb 

Meat,  mutton,  chops,  loin,  per  lb 

Meat,  pork,  fresh,  per  lb 

Meat,  pork,  salt,  per  lb 

Meat,  beef,  rib  roast,  per  lb 

Meat,  beef,  sirloin,  roast,  per  lb 

Meat,  sausage,  per  lb 

Mea'-,  steak,  hamburg,  per  lb 

Meat,  steak,  porterhouse,  per  lb 

Meat,  steak,  rump,  per  lb 

Meat,  steak,  sirloin,  per  lb 

Meat,  steak,  top  round,  per  lb ■ 

Meat,  steak,  whole  round,  per  lb 

Meat,  tripe,  per  lb 

Molasses,  New  Orleans,  per  gal 

Oil,  olive,  imported,  pei  qt 

Rice,  Carolina,  whole,  per  lb 

Salt,  table,  per  lb 

Spaghetti,  domestic,  per  lb 

Sugar,  granulated,  lbs.  for  $1 

Vegetables,  cabbage,  per  lb • 

Vegetables,  potatoes,  per  bu 

Vegetables,  onions,  yellow,  per  pk 

♦Decrease. 


CHAPTER  II 


WHOLESALE  PRICES, 


1.     AVERAGE  AND  RELATIVE  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF 
to  24  COMMODITIES. 

I  The  following  table  which  has  been  compiled  from  the  publications 
I  of  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  shows  by  years,  for  the 
!    period    1890-1917,    the    average    and    relative    wholesale  prices  of  17 

foodstuffs,  together  with  lumber,  timber,  raw  cotton,  wool,  pig  and  bir 

iron,  and  anthracite  and  bituminous  coal. 


AVERAGE  AND  RELATIVE  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  COMMODITIES  1890-1917. 


Year. 

Beeves,  good  to 

choice  live  weight, 

100  pounds 

Hogs,  fair  to 

good  live  weight, 

100  pounds 

Bacon,  clear, 
pound 

Ham,  sugar  cured, 
pound. 

Average 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

1890-1899  .... 
1890 

$4.7347 
4.1375 
5.0976 
4.4995 
4.8394 

4.5245 
4.9344 
4.2712 
4.7736 
4.8846 

5.3851 
5.3938 
5.5901 
6.5572 
5.0615 

5.1923 
5.2192 
5.3572 
5.8120 
5.9976 

6.4529 
7.0173 
6.7272 
8.4024 
8.5072 

9.0387 
8.7015 
9.573 
11.177 

100.0 
87.4 

107.7 
95.0 

102.2 

95.6 
104.2 

90.2 
100.8 
103.2 

113.7 
113.9 
118.1 
138.5 
106.9 

109.7 
110.2 
113.1 
122.8 
126.7 

136.3 
148.2 
142.1 
177.5 
179.7 

190.9 
183.8 
202.2 
236.1 

$0.0675 
.0603 
.0699 
.0787 
.  1048 

.0751 
.0650 
.0494 
.0541 
.0596 

.0583 
.0752 
.0891 
.1073 
.0959 

.0775 
.0800 
.0942 
.0954 
.0901 

.1173 
.1332 
.0949 
.1107 
.1274 

.1323 
.1155 
.149 
.179 

100.0 
89.3 
103.6 
116.6 
155.3 

111.3 
96.3 
73.2 
80.1 
88.3 

86.4 
111.4 
132.0 
159.0 
142.1 

114.8 
118.5 
139.6 
141.3 
133.5 

173.8 
197.3 
140.6 
164.0 
188.7 

195.9 
171.1 
220.7 
265.2 

$0.0984 
.0995 
.0982 
.1076 
.1249 

.1019 
.0947 
.0943 
.0894 
.0807 

.0923 
.1025 
.1075 
.1211 
.1271 

.1072 
.1046 
.  1235 
.1303 
.1125 

.1310 
.1644 
.1398 
.1429 
.1662 

.1670 
.1531 
.185 
.212 

100.0 
101.1 
99.8 
109.3 
126.9 

103.5 
96.2 
95.8 
90.9 
82.0 

93.8 
104.2 
109.2 
123.1 
129.2 

108.9 
106.3 
125.5 
132.4 
114.3 

133.1 
167.1 
142.1 
145.2 
168.9 

169.7 
155.6 
188.0 
215.4 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897    

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906      . 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

$8,371 
7.159 
9.508 

12.584 

1915 

1916 

1917 

75 


76  WHOLESALE    PRICES. 

AVERAGE  AND  RELATIVE  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  COMMODITIES,  1890-1917— Continued 


I 


Year. 

Pork,  salt,  mess., 
barrel. 

Lard,  pound. 

Eggs,  dozen. 
New  York. 

Milk,  fresh,  quart. 
New  York. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

1890-1899.... 
1890 

$11.6332 
12.1502 
11.3029 
11.5252 
18.3389 

14.1262 

11.8255 

8.9399 

8.9087 

9.8678 

9.3462 
12.5072 
15.6108 
17.9399 
16.6514 

14.0288 
14.4183 
17.5120 
17.5684 
15.9736 

21.3438 
23.7380 
19.1587 
19.2854 
22.4712 

22.7358 
18.3173 
26.770 
33.646 

100.0 

104.0 

97.2 

99.1 

157.6 

121.4 

101.7 

76.8 

76.6 

84.8 

80.3 
107.5 
134.2 
154.2 
143.1 

120.6 
123.9 
150.5 
151.0 
137.3 

183.5 
204.1 
164.7 
165.8 
193.2 

195.5 
157.5 
230.1 
289.2 

$0.0654 
.0633 
.0660 
.0771 
.1030 

.0773 
.0653 
.0469 
.0441 
.0552 

.0556 
.0690 
.0885 
.1059 
.0877 

.0731 
.0745 
.0887 
.0920 
.0908 

.1169 
.1253 
.0908 
.1049 
.1101 

.1037 
.0940 
.135 
.173 

100.0 
96.8 
100.9 
117.9 
157.5 

118.2 
99.8 
71.7 
67.4. 
84.4 

85.0 
105.5 
135.3 
161.9 
134.1 

111.8 
113.9 
135.6 
140.7 
138.8 

178.7 
191.6 
138.8 
160.4 
168.3 

158.5 
143.7 
206.4 
264.5 

$0.1963 
.1945 
.2160 
.2167 

.2247 

.1835 
.2002 
.1741 
.1718 
.1817 

.1994 
.1977 
.2095 
.2409 
.2418 

.2650 
.2712 
.2615 
.2771 
.2788 

.3146 
.3258 
.2977 
.3315 
.3268 

.2656 
.2569 
.293 
.399 

100.0 
99.1 
110.0 
110.4 
114.5 

93.5 
102.0 
88.7 
87.5 
92.6 

101.6 
100.7 
106.7 
122.7 
123.2 

135.0 
138.2 
133.2 
141.2 
142.0 

160.3 
166.0 
151.7 
168.9 
166.5 

135.3 
130.9 
149.3 
203.3 

$0.0255 
.0263 
.0267 
.0268 
.0279 

.0263 
.  0253 
.0234 
.0235 
.0239 

.0253 
.0274 
.0262 
.0288 
.0288 

.0275 
.0289 
.0301 
.0335 
.0329 

.0338 
.0368 
.0336 
.0368 
.0353 

.0351 
.0355 
.039 
.050 

100.0 
103.1 
104.7 
105.1 
109.4 

103.1 
99.2 
91.8 
92.2 
93.7 

99.2 
107.5 
102.7 
112.9 
112.9 

107.8 
113.3 
118.0 
131.4 
129.0 

132.5 
144.3 
131.8 
144.3 
138.4 

137.6 
139.2 
148.3 
190.1 

1891      

1892 

1893    

1894 

1895    . 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899          

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

Year. 

Sugar,  granulated, 
pound. 

Potatoes,  white, 
bushel. 

Beans,  Navy, 
bushel. 

Coal,  anthracite, 
stove,  long  ton. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

1890-1899.... 
1890 

$0.0473 
.0617 
.0471 
.0435 
.0484 

.0411 
.0416 
.0453 
.0450 
.0497 

.0492 
.0533 
.0505 
.0446 
.0464 

.0477 
.0526 
.0452 
.0465 
.0494 

.0476 
.0496 
.0533 
.0505 
.0427 

.0471 
.0556 
.069 
.069 

100.0 

130.5 

99.7 

92.1 

102.3 

87.0 
87.9 
95.9 
95.1 
105.2 

104.2 

112.8 

106.8 

94.2 

98.2 

101.0 

111.2 

95.5 

98.4 

104.5 

100.7 
104.9 
112.8 
106.7 
90.4 

99.7 
117.5 
145.9 
145.9 

$0.4991 
.5956 
.7730 
.4546 
.6714 

.6128 
.4326 
.1965 
.3279 
.5094 

.4172 
.3736 
.5642 
.5958 
.5249 

.7301 
.4026 
.5476 
.4912 
.7119 

.6858 
.4275 
.7706 
.9133 
.5932 

2.1200 
1.3041 
1.111 
2.180 

100.0 
119.3 
154.9 
91.1 
134.5 

122.8 
86.7 
39.4 
65.7 

102.1 

83.6 

74.9 

113.0 

119.4 

105.2 

146.3 
80.7 

109.7 
98.4 

142.6 

137.4 
85.7 
154.4 
183.0 
118.9 

424.8 
261.3 
222.6 
436.8 

$1.6699 
2.0292 
2.2531 
1.8698 
1.9906 

1.8469 
1 . 7896 
1.1740 
1 . 0448 
1.2479 

1.4531 
2.0969 
2.1927 
1.9198 
2.2625 

2.0104 
2.1500 
1.9000 
1.7771 
2.3198 

2.4500 

2.3990 

b2.2885 

b4.6614 

b3.9896 

b4.0333 
b5.8125 
b8.450 
bll.517 

100.0 
121.5 
134.9 
112.0 
119.2 

110.6 

107.2 

70.3 

62.6 

74.7 

87.0 
125.6 
131.3 
115.0 
135.5 

120.4 
128.8 
113.8 
106.4 
138.9 

146.7 
143.7 
137.0 
279.1 
238.9 

241.5 
348.1 
506.0 
689.7 

$3.7949 
3.7108 
3.8542 
4.1532 
4.1931 

3.6003 
3.1264 
3.7942 
4.0146 
3.7978 

3.7047 
3.9451 
4.3224 
4.4627 
4.8245 

4.8246 
4.8226 
4.8615 
4.8215 
4.8226 

4.8196 
4.8178 
4.8063 
5.0329 
5.0613 

5.0607 
5.0446 

5.454 
5.682 

100.0 
97.8 
101.6 
109.4 
110.5 

94.9 
82.4 
100.0 
105.8 
100.1 

97.6 
104.0 
113.9 
117.6 
127.1 

127.1 
127.1 
128.1 
127.1 
127.1 

127.0 
127.0 
126.7 
132.6 
133.4 

133.4 
132.9 
143.7 
149.7 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914      .  .    .  . 

1915 

1916 

1917 

b — For  100  pounds. 


WHOLESALE    PRICES.  77 

AVERAGE  AND  RELATIVE  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  COMMODITIES.  1890-1917— Continued. 


Year. 

Lumber,  white  pine, 

clear,  th<5usand 

feet. 

Wheat, 
Chicago, 

spring, 
bushel. 

Corn,  bushel. 

Wheat,  flour, 
barrel. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

1890-1899.... 
1890 

$18.4646 
20.7500 
19.9583 
18.5000 
18.5000 
18.5000 
16.9167 
16.4167 
16.4375 
18.6250 
20  0417 
20.7083 
19.6667 
21.0000 
21.0000 
21.4167 
24.9167 
29.3333 
30.50000 
30.5000 
33.0417 
30.8000 
30.5909 
33.1364 
32.1364 
29.6250 
28.1818 
31.82 

100.0 
112.4 
108.1 
100.2 
100.2 
100.2 
91.6 
88.9 
89.0 
100.9 
108.5 
112.2 
106.5 
113.7 
113.7 
116.0 
134.9 
158.9 
165.2 
165.2 
178.9 
166.8 
165.7 
179.5 
174.0 
160.4 
152.6 
172.3 

$0.7510 

.8933 

.9618 

.7876 

.6770 

.5587 

.6000 

.6413 

.7949 

.8849 

.7109 

.7040 

.7187 

.7414 

.  7895 

1.0390 

1.0104 

.7931 

.9073 

.9899 

1.1997 

1.0973 

.9844 

1.0490 

.9533 

1.0412 

1.3443 

100.0 

118.9 

128.1 

104.9 

90.1 

74.4 

79.9 

85.4 

105.8 

117.8 

94.7 

93.7 

95.7 

98.7 

105.1 

138.3 

134.5 

105.6 

120.8 

131.8 

159.7 

146.1 

131.1 

139.7 

126.9 

138.6 

179.0 

$0.3804 
.3950 
.5744 
.4500 
.3964 
.4326 
.3955 
.2580 
.2546 
.3144 
.3333 
.3811 
.4969 
.5968 
.4606 
.5046 
.5010 
.4632 
.5280 
.6843 
.6677 
.5810 
.5900 
.6855 
.6251 
.6953 
.7295 
.825 
1.310 

100.0 
103.8 
151.0 
118.3 
104.2 
113.7 
104.0 
67.8 
66.9 
82.6 
87.6 
100.2 
130.6 
156.9 
121.1 
132.6 
131.7 
121.8 
138.8 
179.9 
175.5 
152.7 
155.1 
180.2 
164.3 
182.7 
191.8 
216.9 
344.4 

1891 

1892 



1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

Not  obta 

in  able. 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910        

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914   

4.363 
5.860 
6.364 
8.833 

1915 

1916 

dl917 

d — January-March,  1917. 


Year. 

Corn  meal,  yellow, 
barrel. 

Butter,  pound. 

Cheese,  pound. 
New  York. 

Cotton,  upland, 

middling  (N.Y.), 

pound 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

1890-1899.... 
1890 

$1.0169 
1.0200 
1.4579 
1.1608 
1.0833 
1.0629 
1.0613 
.7854 
.7633 
.8463 
.9273 
.9908 
1.1875 
1.5250 
1.2783 
1.3333 
1.3250 
1.2625 
1.3575 
1.6146 
1.6104 
1.4792 
1.2913 
1.6521 
1.4250 
1.5708 
1.7250 
2.060 
2.717 

100.0 
100.3 
143.4 
114.2 
106.5 
104.5 
104.4 
77.2 
75.1 
83.2 
91.2 
97.4 
116.8 
150.0 
125.7 
131.1 
130.3 
124.2 
133.5 
158.8 
158.4 
145.5 
127.0 
162.5 
140.1 
154.4 
169.6 
202.6 
267.2 

$0.2170 
.2238 
.2501 
.2528 
.2581 
.2194 
.2064 
.1793 
.1837 
.1886 
.2075 
.2178 
.2114 
.2413 
.2302 
.2178 
.2429 
.2459 
.2761 
.2692 
.2893 
.2977 
.2644 
.2968 
.3077 
.2881 
.2846 
.327 
.400 

100.0 

103.1 

115.3 

116.5 

118.9 

101.1 

95.1 

82.6 

84.7 

86.9 

95.6 

100.4 

97.4 

111.2 

106.1 

100.4 

111.9 

113.3 

127.2 

124.1 

133.3 

137.2 

121.8 

136.8 

141.8 

132.7 

131.2 

150.7 

184.3 

$0.0987 
.0958 
.1011 
.1058 
.1076 
.1060 
.0929 
.0908 
.0968 
.0822 
.1075 
.1128 
.1011 
.1126 
.1217 
.1019 
.1212 
.1313 
.1414 
.1364 
.1485 
.1572 
.1401 
.1645 
.1541 
.1518 
.1509 
c.174 
c.224 

100.0 
97.1 
102.4 
107.2 
109.0 
107.4 
94.1 
92.0 
98.1 
83.3 
108.9 
114.3 
102.4 
114.1 
123.3 
103 . 2 
122.8 
133.0 
143.3 
138.2 
150.5 
159.3 
141.9 
166.7 
156.1 
153.8 
152.9 
176.3 
227.0 

$0.0776 
.1109 
.0861 
.0769 
.0832 
.0700 
.0730 
.0792 
.0715 
.0597 
.0658 
.0961 
.0863 
.0893 
.1124 
.1210 
.0955 
.1103 
.1188 
.1046 
.1211 
.1512 
.1304 
.1150 
.1279 
.1210 
.1015 
.145 
.198 

100.0 

142.9 

110.8 

99.0 

107.2 

90.0 

94.0 

102.0 

92.0 

96.9 

84.7 

123.8 

111.1 

115.1 

144.7 

155.9 

123.1 

142.0 

153.0 

134.8 

156.0 

194.8 

168.0 

148.2 

164.8 

155.9 

130.8 

186.9 

255.2 

1891 

1892    

1893 

1894      

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907        

1908 

1909        

1910 

1911    

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

dl917 

d — January-March,  1917. 


c — American-Chicago. 


78  WHOLESALE    PRICES. 

AVERAGE  AND  RELATIVE  WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  COMMODITIES,   1890-1917— Concluded. 


Year. 

Wool,  Ohio,  medium 

fleece  scoured, 

pound. 

Pig  Iron,  No.  1, 

foundry,  long 

ton. 

Bar  Iron,  best, 

refined,  long 

ton. 

Coal,  bituminous, 
ton. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

Average. 

Relative. 

1890-1899  

1890 

$0.4564 
.6143 
.5820 
.5276 
.4620 

.3542 
.3280 
.3186 
.3999 
.4805 

.4966 
.5296 
.4315 
.4436 
.4658 

.4869 
.5.348 
.5125 
.5158 
.4899 

.5429 
.4884 
.4490 
.4792 
.4710 

.4398 
.5714 
.680 
.957 

100.0 
134.6 
127.5 
115.6 
101.2 

77.6 
71.9 
69.8 
87.6 
105.3 

108.8 

116.0 

94.5 

97.2 

102.1 

106.7 
117.2 
112.3 
113.0 
107.3 

119.0 
107.0 
98.4 
105.0 
103.2 

96.4 
125.2 
149.0 
209.7 

$14.8042 
18.4083 
17.5208 
15.7492 
14.5167 

12.6642 
13.1033 
12.9550 
12.1008 
11.6608 

19.3633 
19.9800 
15.8683 
22.1933 
19.9158 

15.5725 
17.8850 
20.9825 
23.8950 
17.7000 

17.8058 
17.3617 
15.7125 
16.5575 
17.0675 

12.8733 
13.7408 
al9.760 
a36.892 

100.0 
124.3 
118.4 
106.4 
98.1 

85.5 
88.5 
87.5 
81.7 
78.8 

130.8 
135.0 
107.2 
149.9 
134.5 

105.2 
120.8 
141.7 
161.4 
119.6 

120.3 
117.3 
106.1 
111.8 
115.3 

100.9 
107.7 
133.5 
249.2 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895      

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901.    . 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910          . .    . . 

1911 

1912 

1913 

$2,200 

2.200 
2.200 
2.675 
4.833 

1914 

$35,840 
38.976 
73.248 
97.731 

1915 

1916 

dl917 

-Basic  pig  iron. 
-January-March,  1917. 


WHOLESALE   PRICES.  79 

2.— INDEX  NUMBERS   OF  THE  UNITED   STATES   BUREAU   OF 
LABOR  STATISTICS.* 

PUBLICATION. 

"An  index  number  is  published  in  connection  with  the  reports  on 
wholesale  prices  issued  by  the  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  of  the  United 
States  Department  of  Labor  at  Washington.  These  reports  are  issued 
in  bulletin  form  and  appear  annually. 

HISTORY. 

"The  publication  of  this  index  number  was  begun  in  1902.  Prior  to 
that  time  the  Department  of  Labor,  now  the  Bureau  of  Labor  Sta- 
tistics, had  conducted  an  inquiry  into ^  the  course  of  wholesale  prices 
from  1890  to  1899,  the  results  of  which  were  published  in  March,  1900.* 
The  purpose  of  this  inquiry  was  to  continue,  so  far  as  practicable,  the 
investigation  made  for  the  Senate  Committee  on  Finance  for  the  years 
1840  to  1891  under  the  direction  of  Roland  P.  Falkner,  statistician  to 
the  committee.^  In  the  report  of  the  Department  of  Labor  alluded 
to,  the  index  numbers  appearing  in  the  Senate  Finance  Committee's 
report  were  brought  down  to  1899,  important  changes  with  respect  to 
the  base  period  and  the  method  of  weighting  being  adopted.  In  1902, 
however,  when  the  material  for  the  new  report  on  wholesale  prices  was 
being  assembled,  it  was  found  that  many  articles  included  in  the  report 
of  the  Senate  Committee  on  Finance  were  either  no  longer  manufac- 
tured or  had  ceased  to  be  important  factors  in  the  market.  On  the 
other  hand,  a  number  of  articles  not  shown  in  that  report  had  become 

I  of  such  importance  as  to  render  necessary  their  inclusion  in  the  new 

!  report.  These  facts  necessitated  the  computation  of  a  new  series  of 
index  numbers  based  on  the  revised  list  of  commodities.     It  was  found, 

i  however,  that  prices  of  such  commodities  could  be  obtained  for  a  period 
dating  back  to  1890,  so  that  the  new  series  of  index  numbers,  as  pub- 

!  lished  in  the  1902  report,^  covered  the  12  years  from  1890  to  1901,  in- 
clusive. This  series  has  been  continued  in  subsequent  wholesale-price 
reports. 

'  Bulletin  of  the  Department  of  Labor,  No.  27. 

2  Report  from  the  Committee  on  Finance  of  the  United  States  Senate  on  Wholesale  Prices,  Wages, 
and  Transportation.    March  3,  1893.    52d  Congress,  2d  session,  Report  No.  1394. 

3  Bulletin  of  the  Department  of  Labor.  No.  39,  March,  1902. 

'  In  July,  1915,  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Labor  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  published  a  Bulletin  (Whole- 
sale Price  Series  Number  3),  entitled  Index  Numbers  of  Wholesale  Prices  in  the  United  States  and  Foreign 
Countries.  Extracts,  descriptive  of  the  methods  of  compiling  the  various  index  numbers,  have  been  taken 
from  this  Bulletin  and  are  reprinted  in  the  following  pages.  The  Index  Numbers  themselves  have  been 
brought  up  to  date  by  additional  research  and  investigation. 


80  WHOLESALE    PRICES. 

SOURCE  OF  QUOTATIONS. 

"The  commodities  included  in  the  reports  have  been  selected,  not  only 
with  regard  to  their  representative  character,  but  also  with  regard  to 
their  availability  in  the  future  in  the  continuation  of  the  price  record. 
Standard  trade  journals,  reports  of  boards  of  trade,  chambers  of  com- 
merce, produce  exchanges,  and  leading  manufacturers  or  their  selling 
agents  are  the  usual  sources  from  which  the  price  quotations  are  obtained. 
It  has  been  the  aim  to  secure  the  quotations  for  the  various  commodities 
from  their  primary  markets.  At  present  about  one-half  of  the  quoted 
prices  are  those  in  the  New  York  market.  For  grains,  live  stock,  etc., 
Chicago  prices  are  quoted;  for  fish,  New  York  and  Boston  prices;  for 
pig  iron,  Pittsburgh  prices;  for  tar,  Wilmington,  N.  C,  prices;  etc. 
The  prices  for  textiles  are  those  prevailing  in  the  general  distributing 
markets,  such  as  New  York,  Boston,  and  Philadelphia;  and  where  no 
market  is  mentioned  it  should  be  understood  that  the  prices  are  for  the 
general  market.^ 


BASE  PERIOD. 


"In  the  compilation  of  the  bureau's  index  numbers  it  was  recognized 
that  in  reducing  a  series  of  actual  prices  to  relative  prices  a  base  must 
first  be  chosen  that  represents,  approximately  at  least,  prices  when 
business  conditions  are  normal.  This  may  be  either  a  single  quota- 
tion, the  average  price  for  one  year,  or  the  average  for  two  or  more 
years.  If  the  price  for  a  single  year  is  chosen,  it  is  essential  that  the 
year  be  a  normal  one,  for  if  prices  are  high  in  the  year  chosen  for  the 
base  any  subsequent  fall  will  be  unduly  magnified,  while  on  the  other 
hand,  if  prices  are  low  any  subsequent  rise  will  be  unduly  magnified. 
For  the  reason  that  all  commodities  probably  never  present  a  normal 
condition  as  regards  prices  in  any  one  year,  it  was  decided  that  an 
average  price  for  a  number  of  years  would  better  reflect  average  con- 
ditions and  form  a  broader  and  more  satisfactory  base  than  would  the 
price  for  any  single  year.  The  period  chosen  as  this  base  was  that  from 
1890  to  1899 — a  period  of  10  years.  In  the  cases  of  a  few  articles  for 
which  prices  for  the  entire  10-year  period  could  not  be  obtained,  the 
average  for  such  years  prior  to  1899  as  were  available  was  chosen  as 
the  base. 

"The  relative  prices  included  in  the  series  have  been  calculated  in 
the  usual  manner  and  represent  the  percentage  which  each  monthly 
or  yearly  price  is  of  the  average  price  for  the  base  period  1890-1899. 
The  average  price  of  every  article  for  the  base  period  is  represented  by 
100,  and  the  relative  prices  for  each  month  or  year  show  the  percentage 
of  rise  and  fall,  from  month  to  month  or  from  year  to  year,  of  the  prices 
of  each  single  commodity,  of  each  group  of  commodities,  and  of  all 
commodities  in  terms  of  the  average  prices  in  1890-1899.        *      *     *     * 


Bulletin  of  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  No.  149.  p.  27. 


WHOLESALE   PRICES.  81 

NUMBER  AND  CLASS  OF  COMMODITIES. 

''In  the  record  of  prices  from  1890  to  1913,  234  series  of  quotations 
have  been  presented  for  the  entire  period  and  an  additional  3S  for  some 
portion  of  the  period.  The  number  of  commodities  included  in  the  re- 
port for  1913  was  252,  classified  as  follows:  Farm  products,  20 articles; 
food,  etc.,  54  articles;  cloths  and  clothing,  63  articles;  fuel  and  light- 
,ing,  13  articles;  metals  and  implements,  38  articles;  lumber  and  building 
■materials,  28  articles;  drugs  and  chemicals,  9  articles;  house-furnishing 
(goods,  14  articles;  and  miscellaneous,  13  articles.  It  was  recognized 
by  the  bureau  that,  in  the  computation  of  an  index  number  of  this 
character,  it  is  important  that  the  greatest  care  be  exercised  in  the  choice 
of  commodities,  in  order  that  a  simple  average  of  their  relative  prices 
shall  show  a  general  price  level,  and  it  has  been  the  aim  to  select  only- 
important  and  representative  articles  in  each  group.  The  use  of  a 
large  number  of  articles,  carefully  selected,  minimizes  the  effect  on  the 
general  price  level  of  an  unusual  change  in  the  price  of  any  one  article 
or  of  a  few  articles.   ********** 

The  following  table  contains  index  numbers  of  wholesale  prices,  by 
years,  from  1890  to  1917.  The  average  price  for  the  year  1916,  is  taken 
as  the  base  or  100  in  this  table  instead  of  the  period  1890-1899. 


82  WHOLESALE   PRICES. 

INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  WHOLESALE  PRICES,  BY  GROUPS  OF  COMMODITIES, 
1890  TO  SEPTEMBER,  1917. 

[1916=100.] 


• 
Year  or  month. 

Farm 
prod- 
ucts. 

Food, 
etc. 

Cloths 
and 

cloth- 
ing. 

Fuel 
and 
light- 
ing. 

Metals 
and 
metal 
prod- 
ucts 

Lum- 
ber 
and 
build- 
ing 
mate- 
rials. 

Drugs 

and 
chemi- 
cals. 

House 
fur- 
nish- 
ing 
goods. 

Miscel- 
lane- 
ous. 

All 
com- 
modi- 
ties. 

1890 

56 
60 
54 
55 
48 
49 
44 
48 
50 
50 
56 
59 
66 
62 
66 
53 
64 
70 
69 
79 
84 
76 
82 
82 
85 
86 
100 

89 

89 

91 

93 

95 

95 

96 

103 

107 

111 

118 

116 

120 
123 
132 
147 
160 
160 
162 
167 
166 

70 
70 
63 
69 
60 
58 
53 
56 
60 
59 
62 
63 
67 
64 
68 
68 
66 
70 
74 
78 
79 
78 
85 
79 
81 
83 
100 

90 

90 

91 

93 

94 

94 

96 

101 

106 

111 

119 

115 

119 
127 
127 
144 
151 
148 
142 
142 
141 

73 
71 
70 
70 
62 
61 
59 
60 
62 
65 
70 
65 
66 
70 
70 
72 
77 
82 
75 
78 
79 
76 
78 
79 
78 
78 
100 

87 

89 

92 

94 

96 

97 

99 

100 

103 

108 

114 

122 

127 
127 
128 
132 
136 
140 
145 
150 
149 

59 
59 
56 
56 
52 
59 
59 
52 
53 
61 
70 
68 
80 
92 
79 
75 
78 
81 
78 
76 
72 
70 
77 
87 
80 
75 
100 

88 

89 

90 

91 

90 

91 

91 

92 

96 

111 

130 

141 

147 
154 
157 
154 
162 
167 
168 
152 
149 

77 
68 
63 
57 
48 
52 
54 
48 
48 
73 
71 
66 
66 
65 
60 
66 
76 
81 
63 
62 
63 
60 
67 
67 
59 
65 
100 

85 

89 

95 

99 

102 

101 

98 

98 

100 

102 

108 

125 

123 
128 
134 
140 
146 
161 
173 
168 
154 

71 
69 
66 
67 
65 
64 
62 
61 
64 
70 
75 
72 
76 
79 
80 
84 
93 
96 
91 
96 
100 
100 
98 
99 
96 
93 
100 

98 

99 

100 

100 

101 

100 

98 

99 

99 

100 

103 

105 

105 
107 
109 
113 
116 
126 
130 
131 
133 

63 
65 
64 
63 
58 
62 
64 
62 
65 
67 
68 
69 
68 

6r 

68 
67 
66 
67 
70 
71 
72 
72 
71 
70 
72 
80 
100 

98 

101 

103 

105 

107 

105 

100 

92 

92 

95 

99 

100 

101 
103 
106 
109 
115 
116 
130 
139 
143 

109 

108 

106 

106 

105 

99 

97 

90 

96 

95 

101 

112 

112 

111 

106 

99 

99 

99 

95 

96 

94 

90 

90 

91 

94 

92 

100 

95 

95 

95 

99 

99 

99 

101 

101 

101 

104 

104 

116 
117 
117 
137 
137 
148 
150 
150 
150 

76 
76 
73 
75 
71 
68 
66 
67 
66 
68 
75 
74 
76 
78 
78 
78 
80 
84 
80 
90 
96 
86 
84 
83 
81 
81 
100 

89 

88 

91 

92 

95 

100 

101 

103 

105 

110 

112 

113 

114 
115 
116 
120 
122 
126 
130 
131 
133 

66 
66 
61 
63 
56. 
57 
54 
54 
56 
60 
65 
64 
69 
69 
70 
69 
72 
76 
74 
79 
81 
77 
82 
81 
80 
81 
100 

89 

90 

92 

94 

96 

96 

97 
100 
103 
108 
116 
118 

122 
126 
130 
139 
147 
130 
151 
151 
149 

1891 

1892 

1893   .  . 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902   .     ... 

1903 

1904  

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911    .  . 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1916. 

February 

March    .... 

April 

May 

July .  . '. 

September 

October 

December , 

1917. 

February 

March 

April 

May 

July 

September 

WHOLESALE    PRICES.  83 

3.— INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  THE  ANNALIST. 

PUBLICATION. 

"The  Annalist,  a  magazine  of  finance,  commerce,  and  economics, 
published  weekly  in  New  York  City,  has  compiled  an  index  number 
based  on  the  wholesale  prices  of  25  food  commodities  in  the  United 
States.  These  articles  are  so  selected  as  to  represent  a  theoretical 
family  food  budget. 

HISTORY. 

''The  publication  of  this  index  number  began  with  the  first  issue  of 
the  Annalist  on  January  20,  1913,  and  has  been  continued  weekly  since 
that  date  in  connection  with  the  exhibit  of  various  other  items  of  busi- 
ness activity  appearing  under  the  caption  of  'Barometrics.' 

SOURCE  OF  QUOTATIONS. 

''The  prices  used  in  the  computation  of  the  index  number  are  those 
prevailing  in  the  New  York  and  Chicago  markets. 

BASE  PERIOD. 

"The  10  years,  1890-1899,  constitute  the  base  period  used  in  com- 
puting the  index  number. 

PRICES:     HOW  SHOWN  AND  COMPUTED. 

"During  the  period  from  May  19  to  September  1,  1913,  the  Annalist 
published  in  each  week's  issue  the  mean  price  of  each  selected  com- 
modity during  the  preceding  week,  together  with  the  relation  of  such 
price  to  the  price  for  the  base  period,  1890-1899.  The  sum  of  these 
relative  prices,  divided  by  25  (the  number  of  commodities),  constitutes 
the  index  number  for  the  week.  In  all  other  issues  of  the  Annalist  up 
to  date  no  exhibit  of  wholesale  prices  is  made  in  connection  with  the 
presentation  of  the  index  number. 

NUMBER  AND  CLASS  OF  COMMODITIES. 

"As  previously  stated,  25  articles  of  food  are  included  in  the  index. 
These  are  listed  in  the  Annalist  of  May  19,  1913,  and  in  subsequent 
numbers  to  September  1,  of  the  same  year,  as  follows: 

Steers. 

Hogs. 

Sheep. 

Beef,  fresh. 

Mutton,  dressed. 

Beef,  salt. 

Pork,  salt. 


Bacon. 
Codfish,  salt. 
Lard. 
Potatoes. 
Beans. 
Flour,  rye. 


Flour,  wheat,  spring. 

Flour,  wheat,  winter. 

Corn  meal. 

Rice. 

Oats. 

Apples,  evaporated. 

Prunes. 

Butter,  creamery. 

Butter,  dairy. 

Cheese. 

Coffee. 

Sugar,  granulated. 


84 


WHOLESALE  PRICES. 


DESCRIPTION  AND  GROUPING  OF  COMMODITIES. 


"The  following  description  of  the  commodities  included  in  the  index 
number  has  been  supplied  by  the  publishers  of  the  Annalist: 


NEW  YORK  MARKETS. 


Codfish  (Georges),  corn  meal,  rice,  beans,  evaporated  apples,  Cali 
fornia  prunes,  extra  creamery  butter.  New  York  State  dairy  butter, 
cheese  (New  York  State,  whole  milk,  held).  No.  7  Rio  coffee,  fine  granu 
lated  sugar,  fresh  beef,  dressed  mutton,  salt  beef,  salt  pork,  wheat  flour 
(winter  straights  and  spring  patents).  Middle  West  lard,  and  rye  flour. 


CHICAGO  MARKETS. 

Good  to  choice  steers,  hogs  (250-300  pound  packers  and  fair  to 
select  butcher's),  sheep  (good  to  choice  wethers),  bacon  (short,  clear 
sides),  white  potatoes,  and  cash  oats  (2  white,  3  white,  and  standards). 


WEIGHTING. 

^  "The  index  number  is  unweighted  and  is  obtained  by  computing  the 
simple  arithmetic  mean  of  the  relative  prices  of  the  different  com 
modities." 

TABLE  OF  RESULTS. 

The  course  of  the  index  number  by  years  from  1890  to  1917  is  shown 
in  the  following  statement. 


INDEX  NUMBERS,  BY  YEARS,  1890-1917. 

[Base  period,  1890-1899=100.] 

Yearly. 


Year. 

Index 
number. 

Year. 

Index 
number. 

Year. 

Index 
number. 

1890 

109.252 

119.488 

108.624 

116.100 

102.076 

94.604 

80.096 

84.092 

92.208 

1899 

1900 

93.348 
99.388 
104.656 
116.264 
107.516 
108.664 
110.652 
114.364 
117.940 

1908 

125.756 
133.952 
137.172 
131.068 
143.254 
139.980 
146.069 
148.055 
175.720 
260.285 

1891 

1909 

1892 

1901 

1910 

1893 

1902 

1911      . 

1894 

1903 

1912 

1895 

1904 

1913 

1896 

1905 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917  (to  Dec.  10).... 

1897 

1906 

1898 

1907.    . 

WHOLESALE   PRICES.  85 

4.— INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  BRADSTREET»S. 

PUBLICATION. 

"This  'index'*  represents  the  record  of  wholesale  prices  of  staple 
articles  in  the  primary  markets  of  the  United  States  and  is  now  pub- 
lished every  month.     Formerly  it  was  issued  only  every  quarter. 

HISTORY. 

''Bradstreet's  index  had  its  beginning  in  the  issue  of  September  21, 
1895,  of  the  periodical  of  that  name,  which  presented  a  table  of  com- 
parative prices  of  110  staple  articles  for  each  quarter  from  October  1, 
1890,  to  July  1,  1895,  under  the  heading,  'Five  years'  prices  for  110 
staple  products.' 

"The  compiler  evidently  had  in  mind  a  record  of  price  movements  in 
the  United  States  similar  to  that  furnished  by  Sauerbeck's  index  of 
English  prices,  as  he  refers  to  it  in  the  introductory  paragraph  as  follows: 

********************** 

"The  comparative  prices  continued  to  be  presented  on  the  first  of 
each  quarter  until  May  8,  1897,  when  in  connection  with  'A  study  of 
prices'  an  index  number  was  published  for  the  first  time. 

"The  index  as  constructed  was  simply  the  sum  obtained  by  adding  the 
per  pound  prices  of  the  different  articles  included.  At  first  it  was  not 
expressed  in  dollars  and  cents,  but  as  an  abstract  number.  No  attempt 
was  made  at  weighting,  nor  was  consumption  taken  into  account,  so 
that  the  result  was  'not  an  absolute  indication  of  the  price  movement 
based  on  the  proportions  in  which  each  of  the  products  and  articles  are 
used,  but  a  fair  indication  of  the  tendency.'  The  author  stated  that 
only  97  articles  were  included  in  the  index,  but  as  actual  prices  were 
shown  for  108  articles  and  only  10  articles  were  stated  to  be  excluded 
it  would  appear  that  the  index  comprised  98  articles. 

"In  the  issue  of  June  11,  1898,  actual  prices  were  shown  for  107 
articles,  quotations  for  onions  being  dropped,  and  the  index  number  was 
revised  to  exclude  the  price  of  quicksilver.         ******** 

"Again  on  September  10,  1898,  the  index  appeared  with  revised 
figures.  This  revision  was  due  to  the  quotation  of  a  different  grade  of 
hides         ******************* 

"In  the  issue  of  October  12,  1901,  the  first  group  indexes  were  shown 
and  consisted  of  the  sum  of  the  per  pound  prices  for  all  of  the  articles 
included  in  the  group.  The  sum  of  the  13  groups  was  the  index  shown 
for  all  commodities.  The  general  index  was  expressed  in  dollars  and 
cents  and  continued  to  be  stated  this  way  until  April  9,  1904,  when  it 
was  restated  in  dollars,  cents,  and  fractions  thereof.  This  was  not  a 
revision  of  the  index,  but  simply  a  change  in  the  method  of  pointing  off. 
The  index  numbers  for  the  groups  had  been  expressed  in  this  way  for 
some  time  before  this  date.  The  index  now  began  with  January  1,  1892, 
instead  of  October  1,  1890,  as  formerly,  and  was  computed  upon  the 
basis  of  the  revision  of  September,  1898,  until  December  16,  1905,  when 
a  general  index  'revised  to  exclude  some  staples  showing  wide  fluctua- 


86  WHOLESALE    PRICES. 

tions'  in  price  was  published.  It  is  not  stated  in  connection  with  these 
figures  what  articles  were  excluded  or  on  how  many  commodities  the 
revised  index  number  was  based.  The  exhibit  as  published  contained 
the  index  number  by  quarters  from  January  1,  1892,  to  October  1,  1898, 
and  by  months  from  January  1,  1899,  to  December  1,  1905,  inclusive. 
No  further  revision  of  the  index  number  appears  to  have  been  made. 

SOURCE  OF  QUOTATIONS. 

"The  source  of  these  quotations  is  not  disclosed,  but  it  is  stated  that 
they  are  from  primary  markets. 

BASE  PERIOD. 

"No  base  period  was  selected  in  the  compilation  of  the  index  num- 
ber, the  need  of  such  being  obviated  by  the  method  employed,  which 
consists  simply  in  adding  together  the  prices  per  pound  of  the  various 
selected  articles  at  the  date  named. 

PRICES:     HOW  SHOWN  AND  COMPUTED. 

"Prices  are  published  each  month  for  a  selected  list  of  representative 
commodities.  These  prices  are  shown  for  the  first  day  of  the  current 
month  and,  for  purpose  of  comparison,  the  first  day  of  several  preceding 
months  and  the  first  day  of  the  corresponding  month  in  the  preceding 
year.  No  range  of  quotations  is  shown  in  any  case,  and  it  is  evident 
that  a  single  price  has  been  used,  but  whether  either  extreme  or  the  mean 
was  taken  it  is  impossible  to  determine  with  the  source  of  quotations 
unknown.     No  yearly  average  actual  prices  are  published.   *   *  *  *  * 

NUMBER  AND  CLASS  OF  COMMODITIES. 

"In  the  beginning  110  articles  were  shown  in  the  comparative  table 
of  actual  prices,  but  now  only  106  are  included,  and  of  these  only  96 
are  included  in  the  index.  Oranges,  naphtha,  onions,  and  aluminum 
were  the  articles  dropped  from  the  table  of  comparative  prices,  but 
the  reason  for  their  discontinuance  is  not  given.  Two  of  these,  onions 
and  aluminum,  were  never  included  in  the  compilation  of  the  index. 
Two  articles  that  at  first  were  included  in  the  index  are  no  longer  in- 
cluded— namely,  quicksilver  and  rubber — but  these  are  still  shown  in 
the  table  of  actual  prices.  When  these  articles  were  dropped  the  index 
was  recomputed  from  that  date  to  the  beginning,  necessitating  a  new 
index  figure  for  every  previous  date.  The  list  of  articles  includes  both 
raw  and  manufactured  commodities  that  are  of  general  consumption 
in  the  United  States. 

DESCRIPTION  AND  GROUPING  OF  COMMODITIES. 

"The  articles  on  which  the  index  is  based  are  divided  into  13  general 
groups,  as  follows:  Breadstufi^s,  live  stock,  provisions  and  groceries, 
fresh  and  dried  fruits,  hides  and  leather,  raw  and  manufactured  textiles, 
metals,  coal  and  coke,  mineral  and  vegetable  oils,  naval  stores,  building 
materials,  chemicals  and  drugs,  and  miscellaneous.  Since  October  12, 
1901,  an  index  has  been  computed  usually  for  each  of  the  different  groups 
separately.  The  sum  of  the  indexes  for  the  13  groups  is  the  index  for 
the  whole  number  of  articles.  Index  numbers  for  years  are  computed 
by  averaging  the  12  monthly  totals.       ******** 


WHOLESALE    PRICES. 


87 


WEIGHTING. 

"Apart  from  the  basic  plan  of  expressing  in  terms  of  dollars  and  cents 
the  value  of  1  pound  avoirdupois  of  each  commodity,  there  is  no  attempt 
at  assigning  varying  degrees  of  importance  to  the  different  articles  in- 
cluded in  the  index. 

"For  some  years  past  a  yearly  index  has  been  computed  by  averaging 
the  12  monthly  indexes.  The  manner  of  presenting  this  imformation  is 
shown  by  the  following  table,  which  is  reproduced  from  Bradstreet's  of 
January  6,  1917: 


1916 .-.$11.8251 

1915 9.8530 

1914 8.9034 

1913 9.2076 

1912 9.1867 

1911 8.7132 

1910 8.9881 

1909 8.5153 

1908 8.0094 

1907 8.9045 

1906 8.4176 

1905 8.0987 

1904 7.9187 


1903 $7.9364 

1902 7.8759 

1901 7.5746 

1900 7.8839 

1899 7.2100 

1898 6.5713 

1897 6.1159 

1896 5.9124 

1895 6.4346 

1894 6.6846 

1893 7.5324 

1892 7.7769 


Ten-year  average,  1902-1911,  inclus've,  $8.3377. 
Ten-year  average,  1892-1901,  inclusive,  $6.9696. 

The  index  numbers  computed  from  the  wholesale  prices  of  96  articles 
on  the  first  day  of  each  month  from  January,  1903,  to  December,  1917, 
inclusive,  are  shown  in  the  subjoined  table. 


BRADSTREET'S  INDEX  NUMBERS.  JANUARY,  1903,  TO  DECEMBER,  1917,  INCLUSIVE. 


Index  number:  Fiist  of  each  month. 

1 

Year 

1 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. " 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1903. 

.$8.0789 

$8.0824 

$8.1300 

$8.1247 

$7.9567 

$7.8751 

$7.8706 

$7.7473 

$7.7583 

$7.9083 

$7.8671 

$7.8383 

1904. 

7.9885 

8.0973 

8.0882 

7.9690 

7.9352 

7.9877 

7.6318 

7.7623 

7.7845 

7.9213 

8.0015 

8.0579 

1905. 

8.0827 

8.0805 

8.0979 

7.9996 

7.9700 

7.9073 

7.9160 

8.1111 

8.2795 

8.2298 

8.2097 

8.3014 

1906. 

8.3289 

8.2415 

8.2321 

8.2987 

8.3054 

8.3203 

8.2835 

8.3376 

8.4528 

8.5580 

8.7509 

8.9023 

1907. 

8.9172 

8.9953 

8.1293 

8.9640 

8.9356 

8.9901 

9.0409 

8.9304 

8.8297 

8.8506 

8.7468 

8.5246 

1908. 

8.2949 

8.1289 

7.9862 

8.0650 

7.9629 

7.7227 

7.8224 

7.9328 

7.9051 

8.0139 

8.0674 

8.2133 

1909. 

8.2631 

8.3022 

8.2167 

8.3157 

8.3016 

8.3960 

8.4573 

8.5039 

8.5906 

8.7478 

8.9635 

9.1262 

1910. 

9.2310 

9.0730 

9.1113 

9.1996 

9.0385 

8.9105 

8.9246 

8.8222 

8.9519 

8.9267 

8.8841 

8.7844 

1911. 

8.8361 

8.7662 

8.6929 

8.5223 

8.4586 

8.5294 

8.5935 

8.6568 

8.8191 

8.8065 

8.8922 

8.9824 

1912. 

8.9493 

8.9578 

8.9019 

9.0978 

9.2696 

9.1017 

9.1119 

9.1595 

9.2157 

9.4515 

9.4781 

9.5462 

1913. 

9.4935 

9.4592 

9.4052 

9.2976 

9.1394 

9.0721 

8.9521 

9.0115 

9.1006 

9.1526 

9.2252 

9.2290 

1914. 

8.8857 

8.8619 

8.8320 

8.7562 

8.6224 

8.6220 

8.6566 

8.7087 

9.7572 

9.2416 

8.8620 

9.0354 

1915. 

9.1431 

9.6621 

9.6197 

9.7753 

9.7978 

9.7428 

9.8698 

9.9213 

9.8034 

9.9774 

10.3768 

10.6473 

1916. 

10.9163 

11.1415 

11.3760 

11.7598 

11.7485 

11.6887 

11.5294 

11.4414 

11.7803 

12.0399 

12.7992 

13.6805 

1917. 

13.7277 

13.9427 

14.1360 

14.5769 

15.1203 

15.4680 

16.0680 

16.3985 

16.6441 

16.9135 

17.1701 

17.8113 

The  following  statement  shows  by  groups  of  commodities  the  "  Index 
Number"  on  the  first  day  of  January,  November,  and  December,  1915 
and  1916,  and  the  first  day  of  January,  1917. 


88 


WHOLESALE    PRICES. 


Jan. 1, 

Nov.  1. 

Dec.  1, 

Jan.  1, 

1915. 

1915. 

1915. 

1916. 

$0.1193 

$0.1057 

$0.1089 

$0.1169 

.4170 

.4230 

.4085 

.4120 

2.4075 

2.3312 

2.3992 

2.4051 

.1614 

.2520 

.2545 

.2537 

1.4600 

1.5800 

1.5925 

1.5900 

2.1729 

2.5273 

2.6033 

2.7074 

.5807 

.6749 

.7446 

.8449 

.0065 

.0071 

.0071 

.0083 

.3632 

.3982 

.  4256 

.4702 

.0736 

.0867 

.0962 

.0946 

.0821 

.0840 

.0894 

.0930 

1.0379 

1.6320 

1.6469 

1.6519 

.2610 

.2747 

.2706 

.2683 

9.1431 

10.3768 

10.6473 

10.9163 

Breadstuffs 

Live  stock 

Provisions 

Fruits 

Hides  and  leather. . . 

Textiles 

Metals 

Coal  and  coke 

Oils 

Naval  stores 

Building  materials. . 
Chemicals  and  drugs 
Miscellaneous 

Total 


Breadstuffs 

Live  stock 

Provisions , 

Fruits 

Hides  and  leather.  .  . 

Textiles 

Metals 

Coal  and  coke 

Oils 

Naval  stores 

Building  material . . . 
Chemicals  and  drugs 
Miscellaneous 

Total 


Jan.  1, 

Nov.  1, 

Dec.  1, 

Jan. 1. 

1916. 

1916. 

1916. 

1917. 

$0.1169 

$0.1632 

$0.1607 

$0.1648 

.4120 

.4970 

.5030 

.5165 

2.4051 

2.9491 

3.0684 

3.0826 

.2537 

.3727 

.3447 

.3002 

1.5900 

2.1650 

2.5650 

2.6250 

2.7074 

3.4107 

3.6236 

3.6581 

.8449 

.9248 

1.0331 

.9855 

.0083 

.0124 

.0125 

.0137 

.4702 

.5518 

.5620 

.5978 

.0946 

.0843 

.0917 

.0956 

.0930 

.1045 

.1163 

.1165 

1.6519 

1.2116 

1.2166 

1.1941 

.2683 

.3521 

.3652 

.3773 

10.9163 

12.7992 

13.6628 

13.7277 

5.— INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  DUN. 

PUBLICATION. 

"An  'index'  number  based  on  the  wholesale  prices  of  a  large  num- 
ber of  representative  commodities  in  general  use  in  the  United  States 
is  published  by  the  mercantile  agency  of  R.  G.  Dun  &  Co.,  of  New 
York  City.  The  information  appears  monthly  in  Dun's  Review,  the 
weekly  journal  of  finance  and  trade  issued  by  the  above-named  company.. 


HISTORY. 

"The  publication  of  this  index  number  was  begun  in  1901  and  covered 
a  period  of  time  extending  back  to  1860.  From  1901  to  1907  periodical 
presentation  of  the  index  in  Dun's  Review  appears  to  have  been  made. 
With  the  issue  of  May  11,  1907,  however,  its  publication  was  discon- 
tinued and  apparently  was  not  resumed  until  May  9,  1914.  The  issue 
of  the  latter  date  contained  data  for  the  first  five  months  of  the  years 
1912,  1913,  and  1914,  respectively,  but  no  attempt  was  made  in  this 
number  to  supply  figures  for  all  of  the  period  intervening  since  1907.' 
Data  for  other  months  of  1912,  1913,  and  1914  are  shown  in  subsequent 
issues;  and  in  Dun's  Review  of  January  9,  1915,  a  presentation  is  made; 
of  the  index  number  on  the  first  of  each  month  for  the  entire  period  from 
1907  to  1914,  inclusive,  thus  furnishing  a  continuous  series  since  the  in- 
ception of  the  undertaking. 


WHOLESALE   PRICES.  89 

SOURCE  OF  QUOTATIONS. 

"The  price  quotations  on  which  the  index  number  is  based  are  those 
gathered  by  Dun  &  Co.  in  the  principal  markets  of  the  country,  New 
York  and  Chicago  prices  predominating. 

BASE  PERIOD. 

"Under  the  method  followed  in  the  computation  of  the  index  num- 
ber no  base  period  is  employed,  the  index  in  the  case  of  each  article  and 
group  being  the  actual  amount  in  dollars  and  cents  required  to  purchase 
a  year's  supply  for  a  single  individual  at  the  date  named. 

PRICES:    HOW  SHOWN  AND  COMPUTED. 

"With  regard  to  the  method  of  calculation,  the  following  statement  is 
reproduced  from  Dun's  Review  of  May  9,  1914: 

"'Quotations  of  all  the  necessaries  of  life  are  taken  and  in  each  case 
the  price  is  multiplied  by  the  annual  per  capita  consumption,  which  pre- 
cludes any  one  commodity  having  more  than  its  proper  weight  in  the 
aggregate.  Thus,  wide  fluctuations  in  the  price  of  an  article  little  used 
do  not  materially  affect  the  'index,'  but  changes  in  the  great  staples 
have  a  large  influence  in  advancing  or  depressing  the  total.  *  *  *  The 
per  capita  consumption  used  to  multiply  each  of  many  hundreds  of  com- 
modities does  not  change.  There  appears  to  be  much  confusion  on  this 
point,  but  it  should  be  seen  at  a  glance  that  there  would  be  no  accurate 
record  of  the  course  of  prices  if  the  ratio  of  consumption  changed.  It  was 
possible,  however,  to  obtain  figures  sufficiently  accurate  to  give  each 
commodity  its  proper  importance  in  the  compilation.  This  was  done  by 
taking  averages  for  a  period  of  years  when  business  conditions  were 
normal  and  every  available  trade  record  was  utilized,  in  addition  to 
official  statistics  of  agriculture,  foreign  commerce,  and  census  returns  of 
manufactures.' 

NUMBER  AND  CLASS  OF  COMMODITIES. 

"The  following  excerpt  from  the  same  source  shows  what  commodities 
are  included : 

"For  convenience  of  comparison  and  economy  of  space  the  prices  are 
grouped  into  seven  classes:  Breadstuff^s  include  quotations  of  wheat, 
corn,  oats,  rye,  barley,  beans,  and  peas;  meats  include  live  hogs,  beef, 
sheep,  and  many  provisions,  lard,  tallow,  etc. ;  dairy  and  garden  products 
embrace  eggs,  vegetables,  fruits,  milk,  butter,  cheese,  etc.;  other  foods 
include  fish,  liquors,  condiments,  sugar,  rice,  also  tobacco,  etc.;  clothing 
covers  the  raw  material  of  each  industry,  as  well  as  quotations  for  woolen, 
cotton,  silk,  and  rubber  goods,  also  hides,  leather  and  boots  and  shoes; 
metals  include  various  quotations  for  pig  iron  and  partially  manu- 
factured and  finished  products,  as  well  as  the  minor  metals,  tin,  lead, 
copper,  etc.,  and  coal  and  petroleum;  miscellaneous  includes  many 
grades  of  hard  and  soft  lumber,  lath,  brick,  lime,  glass,  turpentine,  hemp, 
linseed  oil,  paints,  fertilizers,  and  drugs. 

"The  precise  number  of  articles  included  in  the  index  is  not  stated; 
but  in  Dun's  Review  of  January  9,  1915,  it  is  said  that  'about  200 
products  are  taken.' 


90 


WHOLESALE    PRICES. 
DESCRIPTION  AND  GROUPING  OF  COMMODITIES. 


"As  previously  stated,  the  commodities  are  divided  into  seven  groups: 
viz.,  breadstuffs,  meats,  dairy  and  garden  products,  other  foods,  cloth- 
ing, metals,  and  miscellaneous  articles.  No  further  description  of  the 
articles  entering  into  the  index  is  given."     ********** 

TABLE  OF  RESULTS. 

The  following  statistics,  showing  the  trend  of  wholesale  prices  from 
January  1,  1860,  to  December  1,  1917,  have  been  compiled  from  Dun's 
Review. 

WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  SPECIFIED  COMMODITIES,  JAN   1.  1860,  TO  DEC.   1,  1914. 


Date. 


Bread- 
stuffs. 


Meats. 


Dairy 

and 
garden 
prod- 
ucts. 


Other 
foods. 


Cloth- 
ing. 


Metals. 


Miscella 
neous. 


Total. 


1860,  Jan.    1 

1864,  Sept.  1 

1870,  Jan.    1 

1875,  Jan.    1 

1880,  Jan.    1 

1885,  Jan.    1 

1888,  Jan.    1 

1889,  Jan.    1 

1890,  Jan.    1 

1891,  Jan.    1 

1892,  Jan.    1 

1893,  Jan.    1 

1894,  Jan.    1 

1895,  Jan.    1 

1896,  Jan.    1 

1897,  Jan.    1 

1897,  July  1  (low) . . . 

1898,  Jan.    1 

1899,  Jan.    1 

1900,  Jan.    1 

1901,  Jan.    1 

1902,  Jan.    1 

1903,  Jan.    1 

1904,  Jan.    1 

1905,  Jan.  1 

1906,  Jan.  1 

1907,  Jan.  1 

Feb.  1 

Mar.  1 

Apr.  1 

May  1 

June  1 

July  1 

Aug.  1 

Sept.  1 

Oct.  1 

Nov.  1 

Dec.  1 

1908,  Jan.  1 

Feb.  1 

Mar.  1 

Apr.    1 

May  1 

June  1 


$23,652 
46.138 
29.076 
26 . 048 
22.955 
16.342 
18.565 
18.195 

13 .  765 

19.725 
17.700 
15.750 
13.530 
14.311 
11.380 
11.729 

10.587 
13.511 
13.816 
13.254 
14.486 
20.002 
17.104 
17.102 

18.278 
16.554 
16.079 
16.389 
17.478 
16.982 
18.165 
20.089 

20.306 
19.872 
22.483 
22.940 
21.987 
21.290 
22.254 
21.120 

21.480 
22.032 
22.882 
23.163 


$10,084 
17.789 
15.255 
11.932 
9.206 
9.432 
8.920 
8.705 

7.620 
7.810 
7.895 
9.315 

8 .  655 
8.359 
7.540 
7.327 

7.529 
7.336 
7.520 
7.258 
8.407 
9.670 
9.522 
8.138 

7.950 
8.426 

9 .  350 
9.693 
9.673 
9.629 
9.641 
9.982 

10.196 
10.090 
10.150 
9.667 
9.229 
8.929 
8.146 
8.246 

8.546 
9.221 
9.777 
9.620 


$14,169 
29.426 
21.178 
17.832 
14.007 
14.304 
15.030 
14.670 

12.675 
16.270 
13.180 
15.290 
13.945 
12.196 
10.969 
10.456 

8.714 
12.371 
1 1 . 458 
13.702 
15.556 
15.248 
14.613 
15.287 

13.948 
14.399 
14.965 
14.411 
15.727 
14.792 
14.461 
15.417 

14.767 
15.458 
15.019 
15.646 
15.840 
17.169 
17.380 
15.643 

15.904 
14.369 
14.303 
13.114 


$  8.978 
29.562 
16.240 
14.546 
11.873 
8.996 
10.340 
10.480 

9.935 
10.215 
9.185 
9.595 
8.945 
8.607 
8.898 
8.170 

7.887 
8.312 
9.096 
9.200 
9.504 
8.952 
9.418 
9.653 

10.699 
9.822 
9.760 
9.804 
9.767 
9.817 
9.824 

10.100 

10.013 
10.041 
10.180 
10.446 
9.629 
10.152 
10.236 
10.384 

10.3.'>4 
10.501 
10.397 
10.314 


$22,094 
91.667 
32.986 
25.718 
22.673 
18.081 
15.140 
15.170 

14.845 
14.135 
13.430 
13.900 
12.880 
11.886 
12.787 
12.407 

13.808 
14.654 
14.150 
17.484 
16.024 
15.547 
15.938 
17.316 

16.319 
19.313 
19.637 
19.798 
20.000 
19.997 
20 . 098 
20.252 

20.355 
20.281 
20.529 
20.169 
19.933 
19.389 
18.849 
18.313 

17.731 
17.200 
16.804 
16.919 


$26,082 
61.964 
27.682 
22.833 
25.002 
15.065 
17.330 
17.360 

16.240 
15.875 
14.665 
15.985 
14.565 
12.026 
12.803 
13.014 

1 1 . 642 

11.572 
1 1 . 843 
18.085 
15.810 
15.375 
17.185 
15.887 

16.188 
17.141 
18.087 
18.162 
18.135 
17.372 
17.524 
17.689 

17.688 
17.667 
17.626 
17.296 
17.179 
16.937 
17.232 
16.944 

17.122 
17.176 
16.872 
16.659 


$16,572 
36.191 
23.056 
18.669 
16.963 
14.245 
14.577 
14.496 

15.111 
14.217 
23.767 
14.320 
13.512 
13.607 
13.403 
12.399 

12.288 
12.184 
12.540 
16.312 
15.881 
16.793 
16.576 
16.759 

16.936 
18.809 
19.386 
19.109 
19.133 
19.305 
19.242 
20.125 

20.335 
20.319 
20.086 
19.976 
19.836 
19.406 
19.185 
19.264 

19.252 
18.229 
19.150 
18.198 


$121,631 

312.737 

165.473 

137.578 

122.679 

96.465 

99 . 902 

99.076 

90.191 
98.247 
89.822 
94.155 
86.032 
80.992 
77.780 
75.502 

72.455 

79 . 940 

80.423 

95 . 295 

95 . 668 

101.587 

100.356 

100.142 

100.318 
104.464 
107.264 
107.366 
109.913 
107.895 
108.955 
113.654 

113.660 
113.728 
116.073 
116.140 
113.633 
113.272 
113.282 
109.910 

110.389 
108.728 
110.185 
107.987 


1  The  issue  of  May  9,  1914.  contains  the  statement  that  "Dun's  index  number  does  not  propose  to  show 
the  cost  of  living,  because  wholesale  prices  are  taken  and  all  luxuries  omitted.  Its  economic  value  lies  in 
showing  the  percentage  of  advance  or  decline  from  month  to  month." 


WHOLESALE    PRICES. 


91 


WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  SPECIFIED  COMMODITIES,  JAN.  1,  1860,  TO  DEC.  1,  1914- 

Continued. 


Date. 


1908.  July 
Aug. 
Sept. 
Oct. 
Nov. 
Dec. 

1909,  Jan. 
Feb. 

Mar. 
Apr. 
May 
June 
July 
Aug. 
Sept. 
Oct. 

Nov. 
Dec. 

1910.  Jan. 
Feb. 
Mar. 
Apr. 
May 
June 

July 
Aug. 
Sept. 
Oct. 
Nov. 
Dec 

1911.  Jan. 
Feb. 

Mar. 
Apr. 
May 
June 
July 
Aug. 
Sept. 
Oct. 

Nov. 
Dec. 

1912,  Jan. 
Feb. 
Mar. 
Apr. 
May 
June 

July 
Aug. 
Sept. 
Oct. 
Nov. 
Dec. 

1913,  Jan. 
Feb. 

Mar. 
Apr. 
May 
June 
July 
Aug. 
Sept. 
Oct. 
Nov. 
Dec. 


Bread- 
stuffs. 


$22,826 
24.161 
24.176 
23.990 
23.579 
21.879 
21.480 
22.900 

23.967 
24.129 
25 . 696 
26.781 
25.854 
23 . 705 
22.002 
21.530 

21.638 
22.315 
23.830 
23.509 
23.423 
22.172 
20.992 
20.590 

21.690 
21.863 
20.263 
19.120 
18.830 
18.567 
18.010 
J&.175 

17.762 
18.176 
19.973 
20.508 
21.283 
21.695 
22.145 
23.828 

24.864 
23.125 
23.523 
24.278 
24.718 
25 . 590 
27.637 
27.391 

25.964 
25.760 
24.088 
21.765 
22.371 
20.665 
19.883 
19.565 

19.596 
19.966 
20.673 
21.277 
21.192 
21.632 
22.975 
22 . 586 
22.610 
23.006 


Meats. 


$10,197 
9.992 
9.488 
9 .  534 
9.175 
9.135 
9.142 
10.277 

8.860 
9.247 
9.022 
9.498 
9.955 
9.617 
9.540 
9.450 

9.351 

9.546 

9.642 

9.683 

10.786 

12.359 

11.542 

11.692 

11.406 
11.080 
11.029 
10.370 
9.897 
9.788 
9 .  483 
9.963 

10.146 
9.742 
9.363 
9.638 
9.414 
9.900 

10.080 
9.612 

9.218 
8.924 
8.920 
9.173 
9.514 
10.590 
11.283 
11.016 

10.715 
10.848 
11.186 
10.923 
10.457 
10.629 
10.912 
11.522 

13.047 
13.478 
13.183 
12.963 
13.090 
13.080 
12.786 
13.053 
12.211 
12.059 


Dairy 

and 
garden 
prod- 
ucts. 


$12,552 
13.357 
13.924 
14.620 
15.016 
17.019 
18.104 
15.645 

15.212 
16.142 
15.705 
16.053 
15.268 
15.767 
16.014 
16.265 

17.508 
19.164 
18.906 
17.564 
16.927 
15.237 
14.321 
14.325 

14.663 
15.457 
15.738 
16.234 
16.810 
18.013 
18.073 
16.468 

14.588 
13.634 
14.759 
14.701 
17.473 
19.248 
18.001 
16.501 

19.190 
22.177 
21.286 
21.898 
19.364 
21.774 
20.776 
18.087 

15.501 
16.752 
16.491 
18.627 
19.416 
19.223 
17.925 
16.651 

16.142 
15.319 
15.112 
16.525 
13.039 
14.916 
16.604 
17.934 
19.978 
20.454 


Other 
foods. 


$10,465 
10.349 
10.090 
10.090 
10.314 
10.428 
10.396 
10.506 

10.417 
10.680 
10.620 
10.650 
10.628 
10.810 
10.740 
10.975 

11.073 
If. 052 
10.803 
10.810 
10.906 
10.778 
10.515 
10.549 

10.556 
10.830 
11.037 
11.038 
10.866 
10.509 
11.196 
11.258 

11.018 
11.078 
11.283 
10.981 
11.384 
11.604 
12.055 
12.339 

12.597 
12.610 
12.261 
12.237 
12.222 
12.323 
11.753 
11.976 

11.828 
11.705 
11.590 
11.757 
11.103 
11.112 
11.073 
10.877 

10.732 
10.165 
10.120 
10.250 
10.213 
10.267 
10.571 
10.700 
11.068 
11.010 


Cloth- 
ing. 


$17,233 
17.348 
17.325 
17.226 
17.308 
17.828 
18.024 
18.277 

18.893 
18.633 
19.078 
19.587 
20.062 
20.924 
21.061 
21.528 

22.145 
22.130 
20.635 
21.671 
21.785 
22.061 
22.194 
21.281 

21.173 
20.508 
20.556 
19.932 
19.896 
20.042 
19.644 
19.596 

19.789 
19.355 
20.021 
18.845 
19.324 
18.778 
18.509 
18.638 

18.191 
18.191 
18.630 
19.048 
19.493 
19.868 
19.979 
20.003 

20.449 
20.588 
20.703 
20.705 
20.789 
21.066 
21.015 
20.835 

21.143 
20.938 
20.807 
20.705 
20.534 
20.250 
20.507 
20.947 
21.074 
20.815 


Metals 


$16,542 
16.537 
16.720 
16.821 
16.788 
16.920 
16.919 
16.935 

16.652 
16.388 
16.353 
16.453 
16.426 
16.615 
16.948 
17.200 

17.304 
17.437 
17.496 
17.419 
17.265 
17.132 
16.937 
16.894 

16.744 
16.587 
16.652 
16.574 
16.144 
16.092 
16.519 
16.591 

16.742 
16.718 
16.694 
16.617 
16.583 
16.526 
16.502 
16.307 

16.294 
16.361 
16.371 
16.356 
15.961 
15.550 
15.918 
16.104 

16.349 
16.664 
17.022 
17.633 
18.029 
18.046 
17.942 
17.850 

17.379 
16.924 
16.753 
16.760 
16.512 
16.528 
16.742 
16.760 
16.758 
16.596 


Miscella- 
neous. 


$18,359 
17.751 
17.608 
17.710 
17.734 
17.781 
17.783 
18.914 

21.419 
21.635 
21.789 
22.003 
20.828 
20.582 
20.656 
21.362 

21.751 
21.770 
22.122 
21.743 
21.748 
21.816 
21.806 
21.910 

22.936 
22.171 
22.156 
22.181 
22.180 
21.653 
22.177 
22.201 

22.243 
22.225 
22.166 
22.083 
22.669 
22.024 
22.040 
22.067 

21.616 
21.534 
22.437 
22.435 
22.255 
22.354 
21.640 
21.411 

21.471 
21.575 
21.465 
21.696 
21.360 
21.313 
22.082 
22.428 

22.422 
22.427 
21.676 
21.570 
21.739 
21.842 
21.868 
21.922 
21.804 
21.794 


Total. 


$108,174 
109 . 495 
109.331 
109.991 
109.914 
111.008 
1 1 1 . 848 
113.454 

115.420 
116.864 
118.263 
121.025 
119.021 
118.020 
116.961 
118.301 

120.770 
123.414 
123.434 
122.399 
122.840 
121.555 
118.307 
117.241 

119.168 
118.524 
117.431 
115.449 
114.623 
114.664 
115.102 
114.252 

112.288 
110.928 
114.259 
113.373 
118.130 
119.775 
119.332 
119.292 

121.970 
122.922 
123.438 
125.425 
123.527 
128.049 
128.986 
125.988 

122.277 
123.892 
122.545 
123.106 
123.525 
122.054 
120.832 
119.728 

120.461 
119.217 
118.324 
120.050 
116.319 
118.515 
122.053 
123.902 
125.503 
125.734 


92 


WHOLESALE   PRICES. 


WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  SPECIFIED  COMMODITIES,  JAN.  1,  I860.  TO  DEC.  1,  1914— 

Concluded. 


Date. 


1914,  Jan.  1,. 
Feb.  1.. 
Mar.  1 . . 
Apr.  1.. 
May  1 . . 
June  1 . . 

July  1.. 
Aug.  1 . . 
Sept.  1., 
Oct.  1.. 
Nov.  1  . 
Dec.  1.. 

1915,  Jan.  1.. 
Feb.  1.. 
Mar.  1 . . 
Apr.  1.. 
May  1 . . 
June  1 . . 
July  1.. 
Aug.  1 . . 
Sept.  1 . , 
Oct.  1.. 
Nov.  1 . . 
Dec.  1.. 

1916,  Jan.  1.. 
Feb.  1.. 
Mar.  1 . . 
Apr.  1 . . 
May  1 . . 
June  1 . . 
July  1.. 
Aug.  1.. 
Sept.  1.. 
Oct.  1.. 
Nov.  1 . . 
Dec.   1.. 

1917,  Jan.  1.. 
Feb.  1.. 
Mar.  1 . . 
Apr.  1.. 
May  1.. 
June  1. . 
July  1.. 
Aug.  1.. 
Sept.  1 . . 
Oct.  1.. 
Nov.  1 . . 
Dec.   1.. 


Dairy 

Bread- 

and 

Other 

Cloth- 

Miscella- 

stuffs. 

Meats. 

garden 
prod- 
ucts. 

foods. 

ing. 

Metals. 

neous. 

Total. 

$21,961 

$12,150 

$20,087 

$10,950 

$20,664 

$16,170 

$22,546 

$124,528 

20.962 

12.625 

18.056 

11.002 

20.241 

16.185 

22.570 

121.641 

22.146 

13.168 

16.009 

11.361 

20.434 

15.881 

22.772 

121.771 

21.402 

12.868 

15.872 

10.684 

20.641 

15.784 

22.540 

119.791 

21.544 

12.813 

16.437 

10.467 

19.969 

15.559 

21.441 

118.230 

23.162 

13.068 

16.114 

10.610 

20.686 

15.695 

21.761 

121.096 

21.086 

12.979 

17.244 

10.449 

20.834 

15.691 

21.425 

119.708 

22.567 

13.427 

16.201 

10.284 

20.975 

15.764 

21.522 

120.740 

26.253 

12.839 

17.432 

11.729 

20.398 

16.126 

22.198 

126.975 

24.441 

12.093 

17.326 

11.423 

20.259 

15.974 

22.015 

123.531 

25.300 

11.907 

18.586 

10.880 

19.970 

15.849 

21.848 

124.340 

24.426 

11.324 

19.825 

10.548 

19.883 

16.134 

22.043 

124.183 

25.891 

10.705 

19.289 

10.602 

19.724 

16.163 

21.794 

124.168 

29.052 

10.601 

17.464 

10.478 

20.117 

16.296 

21.654 

125.662 

28.606 

10.731 

15.580 

10.822 

20.221 

16.343 

21.855 

124.158 

28.867 

11.072 

15.585 

10.761 

20.480 

15.942 

22.383 

125.090 

29.807 

11.668 

15.464 

10.705 

20.786 

15.834 

22.385 

126.649 

28.357 

12.513 

15.132 

10.597 

20.748 

16.138 

22.507 

125.992 

26.467 

12.134 

15.563 

10.724 

20.902 

16.607 

22.561 

124.958 

25.999 

11.388 

16.030 

10.970 

21.400 

16.616 

22.676 

125.079 

24.978 

11.440 

16.256 

10.850 

21.462 

16.956 

22.742 

124.684 

23.540 

11.469 

18.769 

10.717 

21.926 

17.065 

23.177 

126.663 

24.024 

11.392 

20.616 

10.956 

22.325 

17.276 

23.878 

130.467 

25.164 

10.551 

20.971 

11.224 

22.808 

18.328 

24.100 

133.146 

27.318 

11.494 

20.509 

11.212 

23.420 

18.893 

24.820 

137.666 

28.781 

12.233 

20.400 

11.401 

23.601 

19.819 

26.025 

142.260 

26.278 

13.222 

20.812 

11.527 

23.783 

20.387 

26.101 

142.110 

26.703 

14.166 

21.256 

11.932 

24.947 

20.643 

26.043 

145.690 

26.773 

14.611 

20.633 

12.070 

25.139 

20.889 

26.082 

146.197 

25.631 

15.045 

19.267 

12.231 

25.392 

21.656 

26.175 

145.397 

26.378 

14.400 

19.435 

12.156 

25.800 

21.174 

25.799 

145.142 

28.660 

13.655 

17.366 

12.016 

25.899 

21.057 

25.277 

143.930 

31.061 

14.690 

21.541 

11.962 

26.516 

21.224 

25.024 

152.018 

31.821 

13.691 

20.702 

12.616 

26.826 

21.326 

25.373 

152.355 

36.772 

14.238 

24.273 

13.021 

29.099 

21.798 

25.639 

164.840 

36.090 

14.248 

25.403 

12.923 

30.234 

23.390 

25.802 

168.090 

36.152 

15.020 

25.167 

12.928 

30.082 

24.451 

25.762 

169  562 

37.865 

16.124 

27.372 

12.988 

30.380 

25.029 

26.515 

176  273 

40.955 

17.031 

31.509 

13.166 

30.389 

25.977 

27.217 

186.244 

43.813 

18.894 

29.301 

13.289 

30.678 

26.683 

27.354 

190.012 

55.360 

19.385 

30.722 

13.717 

32.081 

28.443 

28.727 

208.435 

53.504 

19.810 

33.606 

13.865 

33.025 

29.888 

28.887 

212.585 

53.918 

18.824 

26.449 

14.225 

36.527 

32.390 

29.617 

211.950 

64.071 

17.746 

21.247 

15.213 

36.917 

32.575 

31.010 

218.779 

54.688 
55.518 

19.355 
19.127 

22.751 
25.802 

15.552 
16.086 

38.615 
39.436 

32.657 
31.159 

31.392 
32.551 

215.010 
219.679 

55.680 

18.168 

25.886 

18.720 

40.444 

29.843 

32.009 

220.750 

53.996 

19.008 

27.021 

18.767 

40.745 

28.413 

32.222 

220.172 

Note. — Breadstuffs  include  quotations  of  wheat,  com,  oats,  rye  and  barley,  besides  beans  and  peas; 
meats  include  live  hogs,  beef,  sheep  and  various  provisions,  lard,  tallow,  etc.;  dairy  and  garden  include 
butter,  eggs,  vegetables  and  fruits;  other  foods  include  fish,  liquors,  condiments,  sugar,  rice,  tobacco,  etc.; 
clothing  includes  the  raw  material  of  each  industry,  and  many  quotations  of  woolen,  cotton  and  other  tex- 
tile goods,  as  well  as  hides  and  leather;  metals  include  various  quotations  of  pig  iron,  and  partially  manu- 
factured and  finished  products,  as  well  as  minor  metals,  coal  and  petroleum.  The  miscellaneous  class 
embraces  many  grades  of  hard  and  soft  lumber,  lath,  brick,  lime,  glass,  turpentine,  hemp,  linseed  oil, 
paints,  fertilizers  and  drugs. 


WHOLESALE   PRICES.  93 

6.— INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  GIBSON. 

PUBLICATION. 

"This  index  of  wholesale  prices  in  the  United  States  is  published  by 
Thomas  Gibson,  New  York,  every  Saturday,  in  his  weekly  market  letter. 

HISTORY. 

"In  March,  1910,  Prof.  J.  Pease  Norton  published  a  'report  on  a 
new  method  of  compiling  index  numbers  on  the  Sauerbeck  selection  of 
commodities  modified  with  the  Dun  system  of  weighting,'  which  was 
prepared  for  use  in  the  weekly  market  report  of  Thomas  Gibson. ^  The 
work  was  undertaken  as  a  continuation  of  the  Dun  index,  which  had 
been  suspended  in  May,  1907. 

"In  this  compilation  50  articles,  divided  into  four  general  groups, 
were  used  instead  of  the  much  larger  number  included  in  Dun's  index. 
The  general  food  group  was  in  turn  divided  into  vegetable  foods  and 
animal  foods.     The  descriptions  of  the  50  articles  whose  prices  formed 
the  index  were  the  same  as  those  used  for  these  50  articles  in  Bulletin 
I  of  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Labor,  No.  75.     The  actual  and  relative 
i  prices  for  1907  of  these  50  articles  appear  to  have  been  taken  from  the 
latter  source.     The  plan  followed  in  the  compilation  of  this  index  was 
!  intended  to  be  that  used  by  Sauerbeck.     It  is  claimed  that  no  manu- 
\  factured  or  derivative  products  are  included,  but  that  only  primary  com- 
modities have  been  used. 

"Since  November,  1912,  only  22  articles,  all  of  which  belong  to  the 
food  group  alone,  have  been  included  in  the  index  number.  ***** 

I 

BASE  PERIOD. 

"The  years  1890  to  1899  are  used  as  the  base  period  in  the  compu- 
I  tation  of  the  index  number. 

PRICES:    HOW  SHOWN  AND  COMPUTED. 

"The  actual  prices  of  the  articles  are  not  shown  for  any  period,  the 
only  data  published  in  Gibson's  weekly  market  report  being  the  index 
I  for  all  commodities. 
I 

NUMBER  AND  CLASS  OF  COMMODITIES. 

i       "As  has  been  stated,  when  this  index  was  first  published  it  covered 

'  50  articles  from  the  farm,  mines,  and  other  sources,  and  included  such  as 
had  been  subjected  only  to  an  initial  manufacturing  process.  Since 
November,  1912,  it  has  been  calculated  on  the  food  group  alone,  includ- 
ing 22  articles.     It  is  stated  that  the  articles  covered  are  those  essentially 

I  primary  in  their  nature. 

I    ■     ~ 

iSee  also  article  by  Prof.  Norton  in  Quarterly  Journal  of  Economics,  August,  1910,  pp.  750-759.  Pub- 
lished by  Harvard  University,  Cambridge,  Mass. 


94  WHOLESALE    PRICES. 

DESCRIPTION  AND  GROUPING  OF  COMMODITIES. 
"The  present  list  of  articles  is  divided  into  two  groups,  as  follows: 

Vegetable  foods  (13  articles). 

Wheat,  contract  price. 

Wheat  flour,  spring  patents. 

Wheat  flour,  winter  patents. 

Barley,  by  sample. 

Oats,  cash. 

Corn,  No.  2,  cash. 

Corn  meal,  fine  yellow. 

Potatoes,  white. 

Rye,  No.  2. 

Sugar,  89°,  fair  refining. 

Sugar,  96°,  centrifugal. 

Coffee,  Rio,  No.  7. 

Tea,  Formosa,  fine. 


Animal  foods  (9  articles). 

Beef,  steers  (average  of  quotations  for  two  grades). 

Beef,  fresh  native  sides. 

Beef,  salt. 

Mutton,  sheep  (average  of  quotations  for  two  grades). 

Mutton,  dressed. 

Pork,  hogs  (average  of  quotations  for  two  grades). 

Bacon,  short  rib  sides. 

Hams. 

Butter  (average  of  quotations  for  three  grades). 


WEIGHTING. 

"The  weights  assigned  to  the  four  groups  formerly  included  in  the 
index  number  were  50  for  foods,  18  for  textiles,  16  for  minerals,  and  16 
for  other  commodities. 

"The  weighting  was  accomplished  by  using  a  combination  of  figures 
from  Dun's  report  and  the  material  published  by  the  United  States 
Bureau  of  Labor.         ********** 

"Since  the  reduction  of  the  number  of  articles  on  which  the  index 
number  is  calculated  from  50  articles  of  all  classes  to  22  food  com- 
modities, no  explanation  has  been  given  concerning  the  method  of 
weighting  employed,  so  far  as  can  be  ascertained.  It  is  stated,  how- 
ever, in  Gibson's  weekly  market  letter  of  January  11,  1913,  and  in  sub- 
sequent issues  that  the  index  number  is  weighted  according  to  Dun's 
method. 


WHOLESALE    PRICES. 

TABLES  OF  RESULTS. 


95 


The  average  yearly  index  numbers  for  the  cost  of  foodstufifs,  the  only 
part  of  .the  original  series  now  published,  as  computed  by  this  process 
from  1890,  down  to  the  present  time,  are  shown  in  the  following  tables 
appearing  in  Gibson's  weekly  market  letter  of  December  7,  1917. 

AVERAGE  YEARLY   INDEX  NUMBERS,   1890-1917. 


Year. 

Average 
yearly 
index 

number. 

Year. 

Average 
yearly 
index 

number. 

Year. 

Average 
yearly 
index 

number. 

1890 

1891 

43.4 
50.8 
45.3 
46.0 
43.4 
42.0 
34.0 
34.7 
38.7 
41.6 

1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 
1904 
1905 
1906 
1907 
.     1908 
1909 

42.2 
44.5 
53.5 
49.0 
48.3 
47.3 
49.8 
50.9 
54.2 
59.2 

1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1915 
1916 
1917 
(11  mos.) 

59.3 
56.9 
62.6 
58.1 
60.8 
64.0 
.S9.3 
109.9 

1892.                      .    . 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

1899 

Monthly  averages  for  the  years  1913-1917  are  as  follows: 

MONTHLY  AVERAGES.  1913-1917. 


Month. 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

Average. 

Average. 

Average. 

Average. 

Average. 

January         .... 

55.5 
57.0 
57.8 
59.0 
57.8 
57.3 
58.6 
59.3 
60.0 
58.4 
58.4 
58.2 

58.2 
58.2 
57.8 
57.7 
57.9 
59.4 
58.9 
64.9 
68.6 
62.9 
63.1 
62.3 

64.7 
68.0 
66.7 
67.8 
68.3 
64.3 
64.4 
63.1 
58.5 
60.0 
60.6 
62.1 

65.6 
68.2 
69.5 
71.3 
72.3 
70.8 
71.9 
76.1 
78.4 
82.2 
87.1 
85.1 

87.4 
90.5 
96.4 
109.2 
118.5 
114.2 
116.4 
117.9 
119.4 
120.1 
119.9 

March 

May 

July 

September 

October 

November 

96  WHOLESALE   PRICES. 

7.— CANADIAN  INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  WHOLESALE  PRICES. 

"This  compilation  of  wholesale  prices  for  the  Dominion  of  Canada  is 
published  yearly  by  the  Department  of  Labor  of  Canada  at  Ottawa. 
Index  numbers  for  each  group  of  commodities  and  for  its  main  sub- 
divisions are  also  published  monthly  in  the  Labor  Gazette,  the  official 
organ  of  the  department  of  labor. 

HISTORY. 

"The  first  report  on  wholesale  prices  made  by  the  Canadian  Depart- 
ment of  Labor  was  published  in  1910  and  covered  the  years  1890  to 
1909,  inclusive.  The  object  in  undertaking  this  work  was  to  determine 
as  accurately  as  possible  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  general  rise  in 
wholesale  prices  which  had  occurred  in  Canada  during  recent  years. 
Prior  to  the  beginning  of  this  work  the  Labor  Gazette,  the  official  organ 
of  the  department,  had  for  some  time  published  each  month  certain 
data  regarding  prices  in  connection  with  its  review  of  industrial  and  labor 
conditions.  The  importance  of  the  subject  and  the  unsatisfactoriness 
of  general  statements  in  a  matter  of  this  kind  led  the  department  in 
1910  to  adopt  a  more  comprehensive  and  systematic  method  of  treating 
the  subject  of  prices  in  the  monthly  summary  and  also  to  extend  the 
inquiry  into  the  wholesale  prices  of  a  selected  list  of  representative  staple 
commodities  back  over  the  preceding  20  years. ^  In  subsequent  annual 
and  monthly  reports  the  price  data  have  been  brought  down  to  the 
present  time. 

SOURCE  OF  QUOTATIONS. 

"It  is  stated  that  the  practice  followed  throughout  the  investigation 
was  '  to  collect  and  collate  the  best  available  published  information  and 
to  submit  the  result  for  verification  to  long-established  firms  at  the  whole- 
sale center  in  question.*  The  daily  press  and  weekly  trade  journals  of 
Canada  and  the  printed  reports  of  exchanges,  boards  of  trade,  etc., 
are  mentioned  as  the  principal  sources  of  data.  When  reliable  printed 
matter  failed,  information  was  obtained  from  books  of  manufacturers 
and  wholesalers. 

"A  source  used  for  verification  purposes  in  the  case  of  a  few  impor- 
tant raw  materials  imported  by  manufacturers  direct  from  the  primary 
markets  of  the  world,  and  in  which  there  is  no  wholesale  trade  in  Canada, 
was  the  declared  import  values,  which  were  divided  by  total  quantities 
to  show  the  average  prices.  Toronto  and  Montreal  markets  furnish  the 
great  mass  of  the  quotations  published  in  the  reports.^ 

BASE  PERIOD. 

"The  base  period  selected  for  the  computation  of  index  numbers  for 
practically  all  commodities  is  the  decade  1890-1899.  Two  reasons 
are  given  for  this  selection:  (1)  The  period  was  considered  as  repre- 
sentative of  normal  conditions  as  any  available,  containing  a  time  of 
falling  and  a  time  of  rising  prices,  and  (2)  direct  comparison  with  the 
similar  study  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Labor  was  considered 
very  desirable,  and  this  was  made  possible  by  choosing  the  same  base 
period.^  In  a  few  instances,  owing  to  special  reasons,  a  period  other 
than  the  decade  1890-1899  has  been  chosen  as  the  base. 
. ( 

» Wholesale  prices  in  Canada  1890-1909,  p.  2.  2Idem,  p.  8. 


WHOLESALE    PRICES.  97 

PRICES:.    HOW  COMPUTED  AND  SHOWN. 

"In  the  first  report  the  prices  quoted  are  stated  to  be  'for  the  most 
part  those  prevailing  on  the  opening  day  of  each  month,  though  if, 
in  particular  cases,  these  were  found  to  be  abnormal,  an  average  of  the 
week  was  taken.^  In  the  report  for  1912  it  is  stated  that  the  manner 
of  quoting  prices  is  the  same  as  in  the  earlier  reports  except  that  for 
certain  articles  subject  to  rapid  fluctuations  (grains,  live  animals,  cer- 
tain meats,  butter,  eggs,  potatoes,  and  fresh  fruits — 40  in  all)  weekly 
instead  of  monthly  quotations  were  obtained.^  This  plan  was  continued 
in  the  preparation  of  the  wholesale-price  data  for  1913. 

"Difficulty  was  encountered  in  obtaining  quotations  of  a  uniform 
quality  of  certain  articles,  particularly  of  manufactured  articles,  through 
a  series  of  years.  It  is  stated  in  the  reports  that  wherever  such  articles 
are  quoted,  care  has  been  taken  to  see  that  changes  in  quality  are 
accounted  for  in  the  prices  given.''  In  a  few  cases — as,  for  example,  in 
the  case  of  cotton  goods — the  prices  published  are  not  simple  quota- 
tions on  a  single  variety,  but  averages  of  a  large  number  of  varieties. 

"In  the  annual  reports  the  actual  prices  are  published  for  each  com- 
modity by  months,  or,  in  some  cases,  by  weeks,  and  the  average  of  these 
quotations  is  given  as  the  price  for  the  year.  Index  numbers  are  pub- 
lished in  the  annual  reports  for  each  commodity  by  years  and  in  the 
Labor  Gazette  for  each  group  and  subgroup  (56  items  in  all)  by  months 
currently.  Index  numbers  do  not  seem  to  be  published  for  single  com- 
modities by  months.  Many  of  the  actual  prices  are  stated  in  the  for^n 
of  a  range  of  price,  and  apparently  the  mean  is  used  for  computations 
based  on  these  figures. 

"Some  commodities  whose  price  is  largely  governed  by  seasonal 
conditions  are  quoted  for  only  those  months  of  the  year  when  they  are 
in  season — as,  for  example,  blue  grapes,  for  which  quotations  are  given 
only  for  September  and  October. 


1  Wholesale  prices  in  Canada,  1890-1909,  p.  440  '  Idem.  2912,  p.  2 

2  Idem,  p.  439.  *  Idem,  1890-1909,  p.  439 


98 


WHOLESALE    PRICES. 


CANADA— WHOLESALE  PRICES  INDEX. 

TABLE  SHOWING  INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  ALL  COMMODITIES  BY  GROUPS,   1890-1916. 
[Average  Prices  1890-1899=100.] 


1 .  Grains  and  fodder 

2.  Animals  and  meats 

3.  Dairy  produce 

4.  Fish 

5.  Other  foods 

6.  Textiles 

7.  Hides,  leather,  boots 

8.  Metals  and  implements: — 

(a)  Metals 

(b)  Implements 

9.  Fuel  and  lighting 

10.  Buildings  materials: — 

(a)  Lumber 

(b)  Miscellaneous 

(c)  Paints,  oils,  glass .  . 

1 1 .  House  furnishings 

12.  Drugs  and  chemicals 

13.  Miscellaneous: — 

(a)  Furs,  raw 

(b)  Liquors,  tobaccos .  . 

(c)  Sundries 

All 

1.  Grains  and  fodder 

2.  Animals  and  meats 

3.  Dairy  produce 

4.  Fish 

5.  Other  foods 

6.  Textiles 

7.  Hides,  leather,  boots 

8.  Metals  and  implements: — 

(a)  Metals 

(b)  Implements 

9.  Fuel  and  lighting 


1890 

1891 

1892 

1893 

1894 

1895 

1896 

1897 

1898 

116.7 

123.9 

106.7 

99.1 

94.3 

98.8 

85.2 

80.6 

98.8 

111.2 

104.7 

108.5 

117.7 

98.7 

92.2 

82.4 

90.4 

97.9 

103.0 

106.2 

105.8 

110.4 

104.6 

94.8 

90.1 

90.1 

92.9 

103.3 

97.3 

90.6 

99.7 

96.4 

101.4 

102.6 

98.6 

99.6 

120.3 

121.3 

104.7 

102.1 

95.0 

95.2 

87.1 

86.0 

94.3 

111.4 

104.2 

102.2 

101.2 

97.3 

93.6 

96.9 

98.0 

95.2 

100.6 

102.6 

99.8 

101.8 

89.9 

98.6 

92.9 

100.1 

105.0 

125.4 

114.4 

107.6 

102.1 

91.1 

87.0 

87.5 

85.7 

87.6 

103.8 

103.2 

102.9 

102.6 

102.2 

101.0 

98.5 

93.1 

94.3 

107.4 

106.7 

106.6 

102.9 

97.5 

97.0 

98.9 

96.4 

93.5 

103.5 

102.7 

104.4 

103.7 

104.6 

102.8 

97.1 

93.9 

90.8 

117.6 

110.4 

106.8 

103.7 

98.7 

95.2 

93.9 

87.7 

87.4 

109.5 

103.8 

98.2 

98.6 

95.5 

96.1 

96.2 

95.5 

100.0 

100.2 

100.5 

100.9 

101.1 

101.3 

97.9 

97.5 

99.8 

99.6 

110.5 

110.3 

104.4 

104.4 

103.1 

100.3 

99.8 

96.5 

96.8 

86.5 

99.7 

103.7 

123.6 

113.5 

80.5 

80.7 

88.0 

111.1 

94.9 

99.0 

99.7 

99.4 

98.7 

99.4 

98.0 

103.9 

103.9 

112.0 

106.7 

98.9 

100.3 

93.7 

91.3 

92.6 

91.2 

103.3 

110.3 

108.5 

102.8 

102.5 

97.2 

95.6 

92.5 

92.2 

96.1 

1899 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

96.7 

99.9 

107.3 

116.1 

106.5 

115.5 

116.4 

118.5 

140.2 

95.1 

103.4 

111.3 

122.2 

117.9 

111.3 

120.7 

130.1 

133.8 

101.4 

109.0 

120.5 

106.9 

108.9 

107.2 

115.1 

120.2 

131.5 

110.0 

106.4 

113.2 

110.2 

116.2 

119.5 

115.7 

121.8 

129.5 

93.6 

96.4 

98.6 

98.4 

98.1 

101.8 

100.7 

103.1 

112.5 

99.8 

100.0 

103.6 

101.0 

105.9 

110.4 

114.6 

123.4 

126.1 

109.4 

113.8 

112.8 

118.2 

115.7 

113.6 

119.6 

128.1 

125.5 

111.9 

121.2 

110.4 

102.8 

105.5 

99.7 

108.4 

128.6 

134.8 

98.0 

100.1 

102.2 

104.7 

105.7 

106.2 

106.1 

10<5.0 

107.1 

96.9 

100.8 

98.1 

104.9 

111.0 

103.0 

104.1 

106.4 

108.8 

WHOLESALE    PRICES. 


99 


TABLE  SHOWING   INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  ALL  COMMODITIES  BY  GROUPS,   1890-1916. 
[Average  Prices  1890-1899  =  100.] 


10.  Buildings  materials: — 

(a)  Lumber 

(b)  Miscellaneous .  .  . 

(c)  Paints,  oils,  glass . 

11.  House  furnishings 

12.  Drugs  and  chemicals.  .  . 

13.  Miscellaneous: — 

(a)  Furs,  raw 

(b)  Liquors,  tobaccos 

(c)  Sundries 

All 


1889 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

95.8 

114.0 

114.6 

122.0 

128.8 

131.3 

134.1 

152.7 

165.2 

97.2 

111.8 

106.0 

104.6 

107.7 

107.2 

106.8 

104.7 

108.7 

107.6 

125.9 

121.9 

128.1 

126.3 

122.4 

125.3 

135.3 

141.2 

100.2 

110.2 

107.9 

109 . 2 

109.6 

112.7 

107.3 

113.0 

112.7 

93.3 

101.5 

99.8 

102.2 

105.5 

109.0 

106.4 

106.3 

108.5 

111.8 

147.3 

140.9 

145.2 

168.1 

171.3 

217.4 

229.2 

239.4 

102.3 

103.3 

103.3 

103.7 

107.0 

107.8 

108.1 

108.1 

125.5 

109.5 

113.0 

110.9 

116.8 

115.9 

119.1 

121.1 

120.9 

123.0 

100.1 

108.2 

107.0 

109.0 

110.5 

111.4 

113.8 

120.0 

126.2 

TABLE  SHOWING  INDEX  NUMBERS  OF  ALL  COMMODITIES  BY  GROUPS.  1890-1916. 
[Average  Prices  1890-1899=100.] 


1908 


1909 


1910 


1911 


1912 


19131 


1914 


1915 


1916 


Grains  and  fodder 

Animals  and  meats 

Dairy  produce 

Fish 

Other  foods 

Textiles 

Hides,  leather,  boots 

Metals  and  implements: — 

(a)  Metals 

(b)  Implements 

Fuel  and  lighting 

Buildings  materials: — 

(a)  Lumber 

(b)  Miscellaneous 

(c)  Paints,  oils,  glass.  . 

House  furnishings 

Drugs  and  chemicals 

Miscellaneous: — 

(a)  Furs,  raw 

(b)  Liquors,  tobaccos.  . 

(c)  Sundries 

All 


148.3 
129.6 
136.3 
120.5 
110.3 
111.0 
120.0 

106.3 
104.2 
102.2 

162.6 
107.5 
136.8 
112.8 
107.1 

231.8 
118.0 
117.6 


149.9 
148.6 
133.6 
134.0 
107.6 
108.3 
135.4 

101.9 
102.4 
103.8 

154.6 
105.7 
135.2 
110.4 
103.9 

227.2 
117.5 
121.6 


140.7 
163.6 
135.7 
145.1 
111.3 
114.6 
135.4 

97.6 
104.5 
103.0 

158.5 
109.2 
145.5 
110.6 
109.5 

234.5 
132.9 
118.0 


148.4 
146.6 
136.2 
143.6 
118.7 
119.2 
139.6 

108.3 
104.5 
100.5 

165.4 
102.6 
154.5 
110.4 
112. 

252.9 
151.2 
110.3 


167.3 
160.8 
159.0 
155.7 
126.0 
120.7 
152.4 

117.4 
104.7 
113.3 

166.5 
105.4 
148.6 
114.5 
115.5 

297.3 
155.2 
104.0 


136.8 
180.8 
154.7 
158.0 
117.4 
130.8 
163.9 

119.1 
105.6 
118.2 

181.3 
112.7 
144.8 
126.2 
113.3 

307.9 
134.7 
113.1 


156.5 
192.3 
154.4 
156.0 
118.8 
133.5 
171.8 

113.9 
106.8 
110.9 

182.1 
111.4 
140.7 
129.5 
121.6 

205.4 
136.9 
108.5 


186.9 
187.2 
161.4 
149.7 
125.5 
149.2 
180.5 

152.4 
112.1 
108.8 

175.7 
115.9 
157.1 
136.5 
181.3 

161.9 
135.6 
116.6 


195.2 
217.7 
183.5 
184.8 
156.2 
193.4 
233.4 

198.9 
135.2 
132.6 

182.1 
154.9 
200.5 
157.1 

252.2 

299.8 
142.4 
143.0 


120.8 


121.2 


124.2 


127.4 


13. 


135.5    136.1     148.0 


182.0 


100 


WHOLESALE   PRICES. 


1917 


Jan. 


Feb. 


Mar. 


Apr. 


May 


June 


July 


Aug. 


Sept.   Oct.     Nov.  Dec 


1 .  Grains  and  fodder 

2.  Animals  and  meats 

3.  Dairy  produce 

4.  Fish 

5.  Other  foods 

6.  Textiles 

7.  Hides,  leather,  boots.  .  . 

8.  Metals  and  implements: 

(a)  Metals 

(b)  Implements 

9.  Fuel  and  lighting 

10.  Buildings  materials: 

(a)  Lumber 

(b)  Miscellaneous. . . . 

(c)  Paints,  oils,  glass. 
n.  House  furnishings 

12.  Drugs  and  chemicals. . 

13.  Miscellaneous: 

(a)  Furs,  raw 

(b)  Liquors,  tobaccos. 

(c)  Sundries 

All 

1  Calculated. 


258.7 
249.2 
233.3 
183.8 
199.4 
216.4 
275.9 

210.9 
156.5 
159.7 

185.8 
179.6 
213.0 
168.9 
236.7 

399.5 
167.2 
155.5 


243.0 
260.2 
234.8 
188.7 
212.5 
223.8 
264.7 

234.2 
165.2 
162.5 

189.2 
186.0 
222.8 
168.9 
237.0 

403.7 
164.8 
155.6 


254.1 
269.1 
224.2 
195.1 
218.4 
230.7 
254.2 

241.1 
165.2 
174.9 

193.5 
191.3 
244.4 
170.2 
246.3 

403.7 
164.8 
157.2 


275.9 
283.0 
216.0 
218.0 
233.8 
238.0 
254.2 

250.0 
165.2 
171.1 

198.8 
146.7 
252.4 
179.5 
248.7 

412.4 
167.2 
161.3 


304.2 
306.5 
221.8 
199.2 
253.6 
242.6 
273.5 

265.0 
167.7 


290.9 
280.4 
205.7 
198.4 
264.6 
261.1 
275.4 

274.2 
192.3 


204.3 
202.5 
258.4 
190.2 

255.3 

396.6 

175.^5 
183.5 


204.4 
209.3 
257.8 
195.7 
254.4 

396.6 
175.5 
194.2 


294.1 
292.6 
208.6 
190.4 
251.6 
266.2 
267.6 

277.8 
198.7 
216.1 

215.9 
214.7 
256.0 
198.4 
256.6 

396.6 
175.5 
193.4 


294.7 
289.2 
225.2 
201.5 
217.9 
274.1 
269.7 

278.0 
200.7 
205.8 

221  3 
216.1 
259.6 
198.4 
262.8 

388.4 
175.5 
196.5 


280.7 
293.5 
229.7 
214.3 
222.4 
274.8 
268.8 

1 
274.0 

199.8 

213.8 

221.3 
214.5 
260.0 
205.6 
268.6 

388.4 
175.5 
196.5 


281.0 

298.4 

245.2 

233.0 

218. 

291.9 

272.6 

1 
261.8 

199.8 

167.0 

222.5 
212.2 
259.9 
205.6 
265.7 

415.1 
165.9 
197.8 


208.1 


217.3 


220.6 


228.7 


240.0 


242.7 


242.6 


245.0 


243.2 


242.6 


WHOLESALE   PRICES.  101 

8.— WHOLESALE  PRICES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES,  SINCE  1914, 
THE  BEGINNING  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  WAR. 

The  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  shows  by  its  compilation  that  the 
wholesale  prices  of  many  commodities  have  more  than  doubled  in  the 
United  States  since  the  outbreak  of  the  European  war.  This  is  par- 
ticularly true  of  grains  and  metals,  immense  quantities  of  which  have 
been  sent  abroad.  As  compared  with  the  prices  prevailing  in  July, 
1914,  the  month  immediately  preceding  the  opening  of  hostilities,  wheat 
and  flour  in  the  Minneapolis  market  had  increased  in  June,  1917,  more 
than  200  per  cent,  corn  in  Chicago  had  increased  more  than  140  per 
cent,  corn  meal  in  New  York  had  increased  more  than  170  per  cent,  and 
good  to  choice  potatoes  in  Chicago  had  increased  more  than  140  per 
cent.  Other  articles  showing  large  increases  were  wool  (Ohio,  fine 
fleece,  scoured)  134.6  per  cent,  worsted  yarn  (2-32s,  crossbred  stock) 
138.5  per  cent,  bituminous  coal  (run  of  mine  at  Cincinnati)  172.7  per 
cent,  electrolytic  copper  142.5  per  cent,  pig  lead  194.9  per  cent,  pig 
tin  102.6  per  cent,  Bessemer  pig  iron  267.1  per  cent,  and  steel  billets 
419.7  per  cent. 

A  comparison  of  wholesale  prices  of  important  commodities  in  repre- 
sentative markets  from  July,  1914,  to  June,  1917,  is  contained  in  the 
two  tables  which  follow.  The  average  actual  money  prices  for  the 
specified  months  are  shown  in  the  first  table.  The  relative  prices  in 
the  second  table  are  based  on  the  actual  prices,  the  prices  for  July,  1914, 
being  taken  as  100. 


102  WHOLESALE    PRICES. 


•\\^HOI.,ESALJi:  PRICES  OF  IMPORTANT  COMMODITIES,  JULY,   1914-1916,  AND 

JANUARY-JUNE.  1917. 

Actual  Prices. 


! 


Article. 


Unit. 

Average  monthly  price. 

July. 

1917. 

1914. 

1915. 

1916. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

100  lbs. 

$9,219 

$9,213 

$9,985 

$10,530 

$11,131 

$11,869 

$12,310 

$12,475 

$12,550 

Pound 
Barrel 
100  lbs. 

.135 
17.250 
8.769 

.132 

17.500 

7.281 

.141 
18.250 
9.825 

.138 
23.250 
10.955 

.141 
23.250 
12.575 

.149 
24.313 
14.794 

.160 
26.250 
15.795 

.160 
29.600 
16.088 

.162 
30.500 
15.706 

Pound 
Barrel 

.141 
23.625 

.111 
18.500 

.157 
27.167 

.165 
32.250 

.175 
33.250 

.196 

35.438 

.218 
39.000 

.242 
41.450 

.242 
41 . 500 

Pound 

.102 

.081 

.131 

.161 

.172 

.200 

.213 

.225 

.212 

Bushel 

.897 

1.390 

1.170 

1.917 

1.808 

1.984 

2.381 

2.981 

2.694 

Barrel 
Bushel 
100  lbs. 
Bushel 
Pound 
Pound 

4.594 

.710 

1.425 

1.206 

.042 

.194 

7.031 
.783 

1.725 
.444 
.058 
.258 

6.100 
.808 

1.900 
.863 
.075 
.270 

9.215 

.982 

2.650 

1.795 

.066 

.335 

9.069 
1.016 
2.750 
2.469 
.069 
.318 

9.631 
1.123 
2.750 
2.275 
.071 
.305 

11.619 

1.397 

3.100 

2.669 

.082 

.305 

14.880 

1.625 

3.700 

2 .  705 

.079 

.315 

13.894 

1.716 

3.900 

2.950 

.075 

.330 

Pound 

.131 

.092 

.130 

.176 

.163 

.186 

.203 

.208 

.255 

Pound 

.215 

.160 

.253 

.340 

.320 

.310 

.360 

.365 

.375 

Pound 

.575 

.652 

.761 

1.000 

1.087 

1.130 

1.152 

1.304 

1.348 

Pound 
2000  lbs. 

.650 
2.200 

.850 
2.200 

1.100 
2.200 

1.250 
4.500 

1 .  250 
5.000 

1.270 
5.000 

1.300 
5.000 

1.400 
6.000 

1.550 
6.000 

Pound 
Pound 
Pound 

2240  lbs. 

2240  lbs. 
Pound 
Barrel 

.134 

.039 

.311 

14.900 

19.000 

.051 

1.750 

.199 

.058 

.391 

14.950 

21.380 

.220 

1.350 

.265 

.069 

.389 

21.950 

41.000 

.113 

2.600 

.295 

.075 

.430 

35.950 

63.000 

.098 

2.850 

.330 

.085 

.490 

35.950 

65.000 

.099 

3.050 

.363 

.095 

.515 

37.700 

56.250 

.109 

3.050 

.340 

.094 

.543 

42 . 200 

73.750 

.108 

3.050 

.310 

.099 

.585 

45.150 

86.000 

.095 

3.100 

.325 

.115 

.630 

54.700 

98.750 

.096 

3.100 

Cattle,  good  to 
choice  steers .  . . 

Beef,  fresh,  native 
steers 

Beef,  salt,  mess.. . 

Hogs,  heavy 

Bacon,  short  clear 
sides 

Pork,  salt,  mess .  . 

Lard,  prime,  con- 
tract   

Wheat,  No.  1,  Nor- 
thern   

Flour,  standard 
patent 

Corn,  No.  2,  mixed. 

Meal,  fine,  yellow. 

Potatoes,  white. . . 

Sugar,  granulated 

Hides,  packers'. .  . 

Cotton,      upland, 
middling 

Cotton,  yarn, 
carded, 10-1 

Wool,  fine  fleece, 
scoured  

Worsted     yarn, 
2-32S 

Coal,  bituminous. 

Copper,  electroly- 
tic  

Pig  lead 

Pig  tin ' 

Pig  iron,  Bessemer 

Steel  billets 

Spelter 

Petroleum,  crude. 


WHOLESALE  PRICES  OF  IMPORTANT  COMMODITIES,  JULY,  1914-1916,  AND 

JANUARY-JUNE,  1917. 

Relative  Prices. 


Article. 


Cattle,  good  to  choice  steers 

Beef,  fresh,  native  steers 

Beef,  salt,  mess 

Hogs,  heavy 

Bacon,  short  clear  sides.  .  .  . 

Pork,  salt,  mess 

Lard,  prime,  contract 

Wheat,  No.  1  Northern .... 

Flour,  standard  patent 

Com,  No.  2,  mixed 

Meal,  fine,  yellow 

Potatoes,  white 

Sugar,  granulated 

Hides,  packers' 

Cotton,  upland,  middling. . . 
Cotton  yarns,  carded  10-1 .  . 
Wool,  fine,  fleece,  scoured. . . 

Worsted  yarns,  2-32s 

Coal,  bituminous 

Copper,  electrolytic 

Pig  lead 

Pig  tin 

Pig  iron,  Bessemer 

Steel  billets 

Spelter 

Petroleum,  crude 


Unit. 

Relative 

price. 

1 

J 

uly. 

1917. 

1914. 

1915. 

1916. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May 

June. 

100  lbs. 

100 

99.9 

108.3 

114.2 

120.7 

128.7 

133.5 

135.3 

36.1 

Pound 

100 

97.4 

104.7 

101.9 

104.7 

110.4 

118.5 

118.5 

19.6 

Barrel 

100 

101.4 

105.8 

134.8 

134.8 

140.9 

152.2 

171.6 

76.8 

100  lbs. 

100 

83.0 

112.0 

124.9 

143.4 

168.7 

180.1 

183.5 

79.1 

Pound 

100 

78.8 

111.3 

117,3 

124.3 

139.3 

154.8 

171.8 

71.8 

Barrel 

100 

78.3 

115.0 

136.5 

140.7 

150.0 

165.1 

175.4 

75.7 

Pound 

100 

79.1 

128.3 

157.1 

168.4 

195.4 

208.3 

220.0 

7.2 

Bushel 

100 

155.0 

130.5 

213.6 

201.5 

221.2 

265 . 5 

332.2 

0.2 

Barrel 

100 

153.1 

132.8 

200.6 

197.4 

209.7 

252.9 

332.9 

2.4 

Bushel 

100 

110.2 

113.7 

138.2 

143.1 

158.2 

196.7 

228.8 

41.6 

100  lbs. 

100 

121.1 

133.3 

186.0 

193.0 

193.0 

217.5 

259.6 

73.7 

Bushel 

100 

36.8 

71.5 

148.8 

204.7 

188.6 

221.2 

224.2 

44.5 

Pound 

100 

138.6 

178.6 

157.6 

163.3 

168.1 

194.0 

189.0 

79.5 

Pound 

100 

132.9 

139.3 

172.9 

163.8 

157.4 

157.4 

162.5 

70.3 

Pound 

100 

70.1 

99.3 

134.3 

124.2 

141.6 

154.8 

1.58.1 

93.8 

Pound 

100 

74.4 

117.4 

158.1 

148.8 

144.2 

167.4 

169.8 

74.4 

Pound 

100 

113.5 

132.4 

174.1 

189.2 

196.8 

200.6 

227.0 

34.6 

Pound 

100 

130.8 

169.2 

192.3 

192.3 

195.4 

200.0 

215.4 

38.5 

2000  lbs. 

100 

100.0 

100.0 

204.5 

227.3 

227.3 

227.3 

272.7 

72.7 

Pound 

100 

148.4 

197.8 

220.1 

246.3 

270.5 

253.7 

231.3 

42.5 

Pound 

100 

147.4 

175.6 

192.3 

217.9 

243.6 

239.7 

253.3 

94.9 

100  lbs. 

100 

125.7 

125.0 

138.3 

157.6 

165.6 

174.4 

188.1 

2.6 

2240  lbs. 

100 

100.3 

147.3 

241.3 

241.3 

253.0 

283.2 

303.0 

67.1 

2240  lbs. 

100 

112.5 

215.8 

331.6 

342.1 

348.7 

388.2 

452.6 

19.7 

Pound 

100 

435.6 

222.8 

193.1 

195.6 

215.4 

212.9 

188.1 

90.7 

Barrel 

100 

77.1 

148.6 

162.9 

174.3 

174.3 

174.3 

177.1 

77.1 

CHAPTER  III 


BUDGETARY  STUDIES. 


1.— PROPORTION  OF  FAMILY  EXPENDITURES  FOR  VARIOUS 

ITEMS. 

(From  Conditions  of  Labor  in  American  Industries — Lauck 
and  Sydenstricker,  1917.) 

•  Several  important  collections  of  family  budgets  of  wage-earners  have 
been  made  in  the  United  States  in  the  last  fourteen  years.  The  most 
important  of  these  have  been: 

"Chapin— The  Standard  of  Living  in  New  York  City  (1907);  More— 
Wage-Earners'  Budgets  (1903-1905);  Byington— Homestead :  A  Mill 
Town  (1907-1908);  New  York  State  Conference  of  Charities  and  Cor- 
rectives (published  in  Chapin,  supt.  cit.,  1907);  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Labor — 
Women  and  Child  Wage-Earners,  Vol.  xix  (1909);  British  Board  of 
Trade — The  Cost  of  Living  in  American  Towns  (1909);  Eighteenth 
Annual  Report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Labor  on  Cost  of  Living  (1901); 
J.  C.  Kennedy  and  others — Wages  and  Family  Budgets  in  the  Chicago 
Stockyard  District  (1909-1910);  Pittsburgh  Associated  Charities  re- 
port (1910). 

"From  these  the  conclusion  appears  warrantable  that  the  family  of 
average  size  and  of  earnings  within  the  predominant  ranges  of  income 
disposes  of  its  income  in  approximately  the  following  manner  of  existing 
prices. 

Per  Cent. 

Food 40  to  50 

Rent 17  to  20 

Clothing 12  to  15 

Fuel  and  lighting 4  to     8 

Sundries 10  to   1 7 

"These  approximations  take  into  consideration  the  rise  in  prices  of 
foods  and  in  rents.  They  indicate  the  important  fact  that  something 
like  four-fifths  of  the  family  income  must  be  spent  for  subsistence,  cloth- 
ing and  shelter.  For  all  of  the  other  items  of  expenditure  which  con- 
tribute to  the  health,  comfort  and  contentment  of  the  family  a  com- 
paratively small  proportion  of  the  family  income  is  available.  As  an 
illustration  the  more  detailed  data  obtained  from  an  intensive  study  by 
the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Labor  of  the  annual  budgets  of  2,567  workingmen's 
families  may  be  presented." 

103 


104 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


PER  CENT  OF  EXPENDITURE  FOR  VARIOUS  PURPOSES  IN  11.156  NORMAL  FAMILIES > 

BY  CLASSIFIED  INCOME 


Classified  Income. 

Rent 

Fuel 

Light- 
ing 

Food 

Cloth- 
ing 

Sun- 
dries 

Total 

Under  $200                           

$16.93 
18.02 
18.69 
18.57 
18.43 
18.48 
18.17 
17.07 
17.58 
17.53 
16.59 
17.40 

$  6.69 
6.09 
5.97 
5.54 
5.09 
4.65 
4.14 
3.87 
3.85 
3.77 
3.63 
3.85 

$  1.27 
1.13 
1.14 
1.12 
1.12 
1.12 
1.12 
1.10 
1.11 
1.16 
1.08 
1.18 

$50.85 
47.33 
48.09 
46.88 
46.16 
43.48 
41.44 
41.37 
39.90 
38.79 
37.68 
36.45 

$  8.68 
8.66 
10.02 
11.39 
11.98 
12.88 
13.50 
13.57 
14.35 
15.06 
14.89 
15.72 

$15.58 
18.77 
16.09 
16.50 
17.22 
19.39 
21.63 
23.02 
23.21 
23.69 
26.13 
25.40 

$100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 
100.00 

$200  or  under        $300 

300  or  under         400 

400  or  under          500 

500  or  under         600 

600  or  under         700 

700  or  under         800 

800  or  under         900 

900  or  under      1,000 

1.000  or  under      1.100 

1,100  or  under      1.200 

1,200  or  over 

Total 

$18.12 

$  4.57 

$  1.12 

$43 . 13 

$12.95 

$20.11 

$100.00 

PER  CENT  OF  TOTAL  FAMILY  INCOME  EXPENDED  FOR  MEAT,  ALL  FOOD,  RENT,  AND 
FOR  FOOD  AND  RENT  IN  3,215  FAMILIES  IN  1909.  (a) 


Items   of   Expenditures 

Families   Reporting 

Weekly 

Incomes   of 

Under 
$  9.73 

$9.73 

and 

under 

14.60 

$14.60 
and 
under 
19.47 

$19.47 
and 
under 
24.33 

$24.33 
and 
under 
29.20 

$29.20 
and 
under 
34.07 

$34.07 
and 
under 
38.93 

$38.93 
and 
over 

Meat 

All  food 

$12.95 
51.39 
19.53 
70.92 

$13.49 
47.62 
17.74 
65.36 

$12.22 
44.15 
16.66 
60.81 

$11.36 
41.19 
15.34 
56.53 

$10.50 
37.88 
14.04 
51.92 

$  9.32 
33.53 
12.01 
45.54 

$10.23 
34.49 
12.04 
46.53 

$  9.28 

28.40 

9.91 

38.31 

Rent 

Food  and  rent 

(a)  Compiled  from  digest  of  British  Board  of  Trade  report  on  the  cost  of  living  in  American  towns, 
Sen.  Doc.  38,  62d  Cong.,  1st  Sess.,  p.  44.  The  families  included  were  native  white  and  British-born  in 
cities  in  northern  states. 


i 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES.  105 

2.— NAVY  DEPARTMENT  RATION  FOR  ENLISTED  MEN. 

The  Paymaster  General  of  the  Navy,  in  his  Annual  Report  for  the 
Fiscal  Year  1917,  made  the  following  comment  on  the  increased  cost 
of  the  "navy"  ration  during  the  past  year,  (pages  18-19). 

''The  unusual,  if  not  indeed  unprecedented,  rise  in  the  cost  of  nearly 
all  staple  articles  of  food  during  the  year  has  of  course  been  directly 
reflected  in  the  cost  of  the  NAVY  ration  which,  for  1917,  was  $0,438 
as  against  $0.37648  for  1916.      ******** 

"While,  however,  the  average  cost  of  the  ration  increased  about  twenty 
per  cent  over  the  preceding  year,  statistics  compiled  by  the  Department 
of  Labor  show  that  there  was  an  increase  of  about  forty  per  cent  in  the 
wholesale  prices  of  the  principal  items  of  food;  so  that,  had  the  cost  of 
the  ration  increased  proportionately  with  the  rise  in  the  food  market,  it 
would  have  cost  approximately  a  million  and  a  half  dollars  more  to  feed 
the  NAVY  than  it  actually  did — somewhat  over  four  thousand  dollars 
a  day. 

"This  was  accomplished  by  the  rigid  enforcement  of  the  regulations 
prohibiting  the  purchase  of  patent  and  proprietary  foods,  by  closely 
scrutinizing  all  reports  of  the  survey  of  provisions  rendered  unfit  for  use 
to  the  end  that  wherever  possible  all  causes  for  loss  would  be  eliminated 
by  inquiry  into  every  case  where  ships  operating  under  the  same  con- 
ditions showed  a  marked  difference  in  the  cost  of  the  ration,  by  the  prep- 
aration of  such  items  as  cakes,  pies,  ice  cream,  etc.,  on  board  ship 
rather  than  the  purchase  of  the  higher  priced  manufactured  articles  and 
by  the  exercise  of  care  in  the  purchase  of  provisions  generally  to  the  end 
that  all  items  might  be  purchased  when  they  are  most  plentiful  and  when, 
therefore,  the  market  is  the  most  advantageous." 

3.— CANADIAN  BUDGET. 

The  Department  of  Labor  of  the  Canadian  (Dominion)  Government 
prepares  and  publishes  monthly  the  cost  per  week  of  an  average  family 
budget  of  staple  foods,  fuel  and  lighting,  and  rent.  The  following  table 
as  published  in  the  September  number  of  the  Canadian  Labour  Gazette, 
shows  this  budget  in  a  comparative  form  for  the  period  1910-1917 
(through  August). 


106 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


COST  PER  WEEK  OF  A  FAMILY  BUDGET  OF  STAPLE  FOODS.  FUEL  AND  LIGHTLNG  AND 
RENT,  IN  TERMS  OF  THE  AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  IN  SIXTY  CITIES  IN  CANADA. 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES.                                                      107 

COST  PER  WEEK  OF  A  FAMILY  BUDGET  OF  STAPLE  FOODS.  FUEL  AND  LIGHTING  AND 
RENT,  IN  TERMS  OF  THE  AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  IN  SIXTY  CITIES  IN  CANADA. 

Quan- 
tity 

191 

5 

1916 

Jan. 

April 

July 

Oct. 

Jan. 

April 

July 

Oct. 

Beef,  sirloin  steak 

Beef,  chuck  roast 

Veal,  roast 

2  lbs. 
2  lbs. 
1  lb. 
1  lb. 

1  lb. 

2  lbs. 

1  lb. 

2  lbs. 
1  doz. 

1  doz. 
6  qts. 

2  qts. 
1  qt. 
1  qt. 

1  qt. 
15  qts. 
10  qts. 

5  qts. 

2  qts. 
2  qts. 

1  qt. 
Iqt. 
4  qts. 

2  qts. 
i  qt. 
iqt. 
i  qt. 
2pks. 
ipt. 

c. 

47.2 
32.8 
17.6 
20.4 
19.0 
35.8 
25.1 
35.6 
45.5 
34.9 
55.2 
61.8 
35.0 
22.5 
20.5 
67.5 
39.0 
24.5 
12.2 
13.2 
12.1 
12.9 
30.8 
14.0 
9.6 
9.6 
9.9 
31.7 
.8 

c. 

46.6 
32.8 
17.1 
20.8 
18.4 
34.8 
24.7 
35.0 
23.4 
21.8 
54.6 
66.2 
37.9 
23.6 
22.0 
72.0 
43.0 
26.0 
11.8 
13.8 
11.6 
12.9 
32.4 
14.6 
9.2 
9.7 
9.8 
32.0 
.8 

c. 

49.2 
33.4 
17.3 
21.3 
19.5 
34.4 
26.6 
35.8 
25.3 
24.9 
52.2 
56.2 
32.6 
24.6 
22.6 
79.2 
41.0 
26.0 
11.8 
14.8 
11.9 
13.1 
31.9 
14.6 
9.5 
9.8 
9.8 
29.3 
.8 

c. 

47.6 
32.8 
17.5 
20.8 
19.6 
35.8 
26.0 
35.8 
36.2 
31.6 
51.0 
60.8 
35.1 
24.0 
21.1 
66.0 
35.0 
24.0 
12.1 
14.8 
12.1 
12.9 
30.0 
13.8 
9.7 
9.9 
9.8 
35.0 
.7 

c. 

47.2 
32.4 
17.1 
21.1 
19.9 
36.0 
26.7 
36.6 
46.4 
36.1 
52.2 
66.6 
38.1 
24.4 
22.4 
66.0 
37.0 
24.0 
12.0 
16.9 
12.5 
12.7 
31.2 
14.4 

9.7 
10.0 

9.8 

47.0 

.8 

c. 

48.4 
32.2 
18.1 
22.6 
20.9 
37.0 
27.6 
37.8 
26.6 
26.0 
52.8 
66.6 
38.3 
24.7 
23.3 
69.0 
37.0 
24.0 
12.8 
18.3 
13.3 
13.0 
34.4 
16.0 

9.8 
10.2 

9.9 

61.5 

.8 

c. 

.52.6 
35.2 
19.2 
23.9 
22.4 
38.8 
28.7 
40.4 
31.0 
28.0 
45.0 
60.4 
34.5 
25.6 
23.6 
70.5 
37.0 
24.0 
13.4 
19.4 
13.4 
13.1 
38.4 
17.6 

9.9 

10.3 

10.0 

58.6 

.8 

c. 

52.4 
34.4 
19.7 
24.2 
23.5 
40.2 
30.5 
42.2 
43.6 
38.3 
54.6 
74.2 
42.4 
27.8 
26.1 
84.0 
48.0 
25.0 
13.6 
20.8 
13.4 
13.2 
36.8 
16.8 

9.9 
10.2 

9.9 

53.0 

.8 

Pork,  roast,  fresh 

Pork,  salt,  mess 

Bacon,  breakfast 

Eggs,  fresh 

Eggs,  storage              .... 

Milk 

Butter,  dairy          

Butter,  creamery 

Cheese,  old         

Bread,  plain,  white 

Rolled  oats 

Rice,  good,  medium 

Beans,  hand  picked 

Apples,  evaporated 

Prunes,  medium 

Sugar,  granulated 

Sugar,  yellow 

Tea.  black 

Tea,  green 

Coffee 

Potatoes 

Vinegar,  white  wine 

ALL  FOODS    .  .    . 

$7,967 

$7,793 

$7,797 

$7,815 

$8,279 

$8,339 

$8,457 

$9,295 

Starch,  laundry     

ilb. 

c. 
3.3 

c. 

3.2 

c. 
3.3 

c. 
3.2 

c. 

3.2 

c. 
3.3 

c. 
3.3 

c. 
3.5 

Coal,  anthracite 

Coal,  bituminous 

Wood,  hard,  best 

Wood,  soft 

iV  ton 
1^  ton 
iV  cord 
i^  cord 
Igal. 

54.1 
38.0 
42.5 
31.2 
23.7 

53.1 
37.2 
34.1 
31.4 
23.6 

52.1 
35.8 
41.7 
30.6 
23.4 

51.2 
36.9 
41.5 
30.2 
23.0 

53.2 
36.9 
41.6 
30.7 
23.0 

53.5 
37.7 
41.5 
30.2 
23.0 

54.7 
38.0 
41.9 
30.2 
22.8 

57.9 
39.9 
43.9 
31.6 
23.0 

Coal  Oil 

$1,895 

$1,794 

$1,836 

$1,828 

$1,854 

$1,859 

$1,876 

$1,963 

Rent 

$4,370 

$4,170 

$4,099 

$3.98 

$3,975 

$3,977 

$4,040 

$4,083 

Grand  total 

$14,265 

$13,789 

$13,765 

$13,660 

$14,140 

$14,208 

$14,406 

$15,376 

108 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


COvST  PER  WEEK  OF  A  FAMILY  BUDGET  OF  STAPLE  FOODS,  FUEL  AND  LIGHTING  AND 
RENT,  IN  TERMS  OF  THE  AVERAGE  RETAIL  PRICES  IN  SIXTY  CITIES  IN  CANADA. 

Quan- 
tity 

1917 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

April 

May 

June 

July 

Aug. 

Beef,  sirloin  steak 

Beef,  chuck  roast 

Veal,  roast 

2  lbs. 
2  lbs. 
1  lb. 
1  lb. 

1  lb. 

2  lbs. 

1  lb. 

2  lbs. 
1  doz. 

1  doz. 
6  qts. 

2  qts. 
1  qt. 
Iqt. 

1  qt. 
15  qts. 
10  qts. 

5  qts. 

2  qts. 
2  qts. 
Iqt. 

1  qt. 
4  qts. 

2  qts. 
f  qt. 

i  qt. 

2pks. 

ipt. 

c. 

52.8 
34.8 
20.3 
24.8 
24.6 
44.8 
31.2 
48.6 
56.9 
45.3 
59.4 
88.4 
48.9 
30.5 
28.8 
91.5 
53.0 
27.0 
13.6 
24.4 
14.6 
13.6 
36.8 
17.0 
10.1 
10.1 

9.9 

64.7 

.8 

c. 

54.0 
35.8 
20.9 
25.9 
26.1 
45.2 
32.6 
50.2 
54.9 
44.5 
60.6 
86.4 
48.0 
31.2 
29.5 
91.5 
52.0 
26.5 
13.6 
25.2 
14.0 
13.8 
36.4 
17.0 
10.4 
10.5 
10.5 
78.3 
.8 

c. 

56.2 
38.2 
21.6 
26.5 
26.8 
46.8 
33.3 
52.8 
46.9 
41.8 
60.6 
85.4 
48.7 
31.9 
30.1 
90.5 
53.0 
27.5 
13.0 
25.6 
14.2 
14.0 
36.4 
16.8 
10.7 
10.7 
10.0 
98.7 
.8 

58.0 
39.6 
21.7 
26.9 
27.3 
47.6 
34.5 
56.4 
37.1 
32.9 
60.6 
85.2 
47.9 
33.0 
30.8 
93.0 
59.0 
28.0 
13.8 
26.8 
14.6 
14.3 
38.4 
17.6 
10.9 
10.8 
10.0 
99.0 
.8 

c. 

61.2 
43.0 
22.5 
28.2 
29.3 
55.6 
37.3 
60.2 
40.8 
34.5 
60.0 
85.6 
47.7 
34.1 
31.7 

111.0 
77.0 
30.5 
14.6 
29.0 
15.3 
14.8 
40.0 
18.6 
11.4 
11.1 
10.1 

126.0 
.8 

c. 

63.2 
43.6 
22.6 
28.5 
30.1 
54.0 
39.0 
62.2 
42.5 
36.6 
58.8 
83.4 
46.8 
34.0 
32.0 

111.0 
73.0 
31.5 
16.0 
30.4 
15.4 
15.1 
40.0 
19.0 
11.5 
11.3 
10.1 

127.0 
.8 

c. 

63.6 
43.5 
22.8 
28.9 
30.0 
54.1 
39.8 
62.3 
38.9 
35.9 
59.3 
75.5 
42.5 
33.4 
30.3 

110.4 
69.9 
31.4 
16.8 
31.5 
15.8 
15.5 
39.5 
18.3 
11.6 
11.3 
10.1 

118.2 
.8 

c. 

62.6 
43.0 
23.0 
28.8 
30.6 
55.6 
40.4 
62.2 
45.0 
41.2 
60.0 
80.2 
44.9 
33.5 
30.1 
110.0 
69.0 
31.5 
17.2 
32.6 
16.0 
19.1 
40.4 
18.6 
12.0 
11.6 
10.1 
97.3 
.8 

Pork,  roast,  fresh 

Pork,  salt,  mess 

Bacon,  breakfast 

Eggs,  fresh 

Eggs,  storage 

Milk 

Butter,  dairy       

Butter,  creamery 

Cheese,  old    

Bread,  plain,  white 

Rice,  good,  medium 

Beans,  hand  picked 

Apples,  evaporated 

Prunes,  medium 

Sugar,  granulated 

Tea,  black 

Coffee 

Potatoes 

Vinegar,  white  wine 

ALL  FOODS 

$10,272 

$10,463 

$10,695 

$10,765 

$11,819 

$11,894 

$11,618 

$11,677 

Starch,  laundry 

Ub. 

c. 

3.5 

c. 

3.5 

c. 

3.5 

c. 
3.6 

c. 
3.8 

c. 
3.9 

c. 
4.0 

c. 
4.1 

Coal,  anthracite 

Coal,  bituminous 

Wood,  hard,  best 

Wood,  soft 

A  ton 
1^  ton 
TS  cord 
A  cord 
1  gal. 

64.0 

47.7 
45.7 
32.7 
23.2 

68.7 
50.4 
47.9 
33.7 
23.2 

66.6 
51.1 
49.6 
36.1 
23.4 

64.7 
50.8 
50.6 
36.9 

24.5 

64.8 
50.8 
51.7 
37.6 
25.3 

67.3 
53.9 
51.9 
39.4 
25.4 

63.2 
53.8 
52.0 
39.7 
25.6 

67.7 
54.2 
53.2 
39.1 
25.8 

Coal  Oil 

Fuel  and  lighting 

$2,134 

$2,239 

$2,268 

$2,276 

$2,302 

$2,379 

$2,343 

$2.40 

Rent 

$4,050 

$4,040 

$4,160 

$4,265 

$4,340 

$4,360 

$4.37 

$4.36 

Grand  total 

$16,464 

$16,778 

$17,158 

$17,342 

$18,500 

$18,672 

$18,368 

$18,478 

BUDGETARY    STUDIES.  109 

4._C0ST  OF  LIVING  IN  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 

INVESTIGATION   BY  UNITED   STATES   BUREAU   OF  LABOR 

STATISTICS,  1916. 

A  recent  official  budgetary  investigation  for  the  District  of  Columbia 
made  by  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  shows  that  the 
incomes  of  2110  families  earning  less  than  $1,800  a  year  were  generally 
insufficient  to  meet  all  family  expenditures;  and  furthermore,  that  family 
expenditures  were  in  a  very  large  measure  inadequate  to  maintain  nor- 
mal family  life  in  comfort  or  even  decency.  Outlays  for  food,  clothing, 
care  in  sickness,  amusements  and  recreation  were  below  the  minimum 
requirements. 

The  study  in  question  was  based  upon  what  was  considered  by  the 
Ikireau  to  be  a  sufficiently  large  number  of  families  to  permit  of  trust- 
worthy deductions.  It  included  data  for  2110  families,  1481  of  which 
were  white  and  629  colored.  Only  those  families  were  included  whose 
[)rincipal  wage-earner  had  an  income  of  $1,800  or  less  per  year,  and  who 
had  resided  in  the  District  of  Columbia  all  of  the  year  1916. 

The  average  size  of  the  family  households  were  4.9  person,  i.  e.,  in- 
cluding boarders  or  lodgers;  the  net  family,  i.  e.,  excluding  the  latter, 
^^  as  3.7  members. 

INCOMES 

Certain  studies  as  to  the  minimum  required  to  maintain  a  normal 
f cimily  "upon  a  level  of  common  decency"  indicate  a  necessary  income 
of  $800  to  $1,000;  sums  which  are  assumed  to  meet  only  the  "creature 
necessities,"  yet  38  per  cent  of  the  families  studied  had  yearly  incomes 
of  less  than  $900,  and  that  in  a  year  of  unprecedented  high  prices;  and 
61  per  cent  had  incomes  of  less  than  $1,200  a  year.  Of  629  negro  fami- 
lies, 29  per  cent  had  to  live  on  less  than  $600  a  year;  and  no  less  than 
three-fourths  lived  on  less  than  $900.  Of  the  white  families  almost  one- 
fourth  (23  per  cent)  existed  on  less  than  $900  a  year.  There  con- 
ditions are  characterized  by  the  Federal  Commissioner  of  Labor  Sta- 
tistics as  "a  shocking  state  of  economic  indecency"  and  as  revealing  the 
acute  pinch  of  economic  distress  among  a  large  proportion  of  the  fami- 
lies. 

These  statements  are  furthermore  supported  by  the  fact  that  one- 
third  of  the  families,  both  white  and  colored,  closed  the  year  with  de- 
ficits; and  only  about  a  fourth  of  them  were  able  to  show  a  surplus. 
"Most  of  the  families  lived  literally  from  hand  to  mouth,"  as  can  be 
readily  seen  from  the  following  table: 


no 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


WHITE  AND  COLORED  FAMILIES  REPORTING  A  SURPLUS.  A  DEFICIT.  OR  NEITHER 
SURPLUS  NOR  A  DEFICIT.  BY  INCOME  GROUPS. 


Income  group. 

Num- 
ber of 
fami- 
lies. 

Aver- 

size  of 
family 
(house- 
hold.) 

Aver- 
age 

size  of 

net 
family. 

Surplus. 

Deficit. 

Neither  sur-  1 
plus  nor      1 
deficit.        1 

Num- 
ber. 

Per 
cent. 

Num- 
ber. 

Per 

cent. 

Num- 
ber. 

Per 

cent. 

Under  $600: 

White 

65 
180 

3.6 
4.0 

2.8 
2.9 

8 
10 

12.3 
5.6 

20 
65 

30.8 
36.1 

37 
105 

56.9 

58.3 

Colored 

Total 

$600  and  under  $900: 

White 

Colored 

Total 

245 

270 
292 

3.9 

4.4 
4.8 

2.9 

3.6 
3.6 

18 

41 

22 

7.3 

15.2 

7.5 

85 

96 

88 

34.7 

35.6 
30.1 

142 

133 
182 

58.0 

49.3- 
62.3 

562 

375 
113 

4.6 

4.8 
5.5 

3.6 

3.7 
3.8 

63 

83 
23 

11.2 

22.1 
20.4 

184 

126 

35 

32.7 

33.6 
31.0 

315 

166 

55 

221 

152 
11 

56.0 

44.3 
48.7 

$900  and  under  $1,200: 

White 

Colored 

Total 

488 

400 
26 

4.9 

5.1 
6.2 

3.7 

4.0 

4.2 

106 

129 
9 

21.7 

32.3 
34.6 

161 

119 
6 

33.0 

29.8 
23.1 

"1 

38.0    i 
42 . 3  ■ 

$1,200  and  under  $1,500: 

White 

Colored 

Total 

$1,500  and  over: 

White 

■ 

426 

371 
18 

5.1 

5.5 
5.6 

4.0 

4.0 
4.1 

138 

186 
9 

32.4 

50.1 
50.0 

125 

68 
3 

29.3 

18.3 
16.7 

163 

117 
6 

38.311 

31.5 
33.3 

Colored 

Total 

389 

1.481 
629 

5.5 

4.9 

4.8 

4.0 

3.8 
3.5 

195 

447 
73 

50.1 

30.2 
11.6 

71 

429 
197 

18.3 

29.0 
31.3 

123 

605 
359 

31.6 

40.9 

57.1 

Total: 

White 

Colored 

Total 

2,110 

4.9 

3.7 

520 

24.6 

626 

29.7 

964 

45.7 

EXPENDITURES. 

It  is  estimated  by  the  Bureau  on  the  basis  of  standards  carefully) 
worked  out  in  1907  in  the  Sheffield  Laboratory  of  Physiological  Chem-i 
istry  (Yale  University),  that  in  1916  the  minimum  daily  expenditure  for 
food  for  an  adult  male  should  be  31  cents.  Nevertheless,  even  when? 
such  low  standards  are  taken,  and  no  allowance  is  made  for  waste  and 
lack  of  knowledge  of  food  values,  a  very  large  number  of  the  families'! 
covered  by  this  investigation  fell  below  the  "minimum  of  subsistence' 
line  and  many  fell  far  below.  Of  245  families  with  incomes  of  less  than; 
$600  per  year,  almost  three-fourths  (72%)  did  not  spend  $112.50  a 
year — or  31  cents  a  day — for  food  per  equivalent  adult  male.  More* 
than  one-half  (51%)  of  the  families  with  incomes  ranging  between  $600( 
and  $900  per  year  spent  less  than  the  minimum  standard  of  $112.50' 
a  year  per  equivalent  adult  male;  and  more  than  one-third  (34%), even 
in  income  group  $900  to  $1,200,  fell  below  the  standard.  The  colored' 
families  fared  worse,  but  not  very  materially  so.  It  is  quite  evident,  the 
report  states,  that  a  considerable  proportion  of  the  low-income  families 
of  Washington  do  not  buy  enough  food  "to  maintain  the  family  members: 
in  health  and  strength." 

According  to  the  amounts  spent  in  food  in  1916,  the  families  scheduled 
were  as  follows : 


•^i 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES.  Ill 

EXPENDITURES  FOR  FOOD    PER  EQUIVALENT  ADULT  MALE,   PER    FULL  YEAR,    1916 


Income  group. 

Num-  - 
berof 
fami- 
lies. 

Per  cent  of  families  spending,  per  equivalent  adult  male  per  year — 

Under 
$75 

Under 
$87.50 

Under 
$100 

Under 
$112.50 

Under 
$125 

Under 
$137.50 

Under 
$150 

Under 
$162.50 

Under 
$175 

$175 
and 
over. 

Under  $600: 

White 

Colored .  .  .  ,  . 

Total 

$600  and  under 
$900: 

White 

Colored 

Total 

$900  and  under 
$1,200: 

White 

Colored 

Total 

$1,200  and  under 
$1,500: 

White 

Colored 

Total 

$1,500  and  over: 

White 

Colored 

Total 

Total,  all  groups: 

White 

Colored 

Total 

65 
180 

245 

270 
292 

29.2 
40.6 

38.5 
52.8 

49.0 

18.1 
34.9 

49.2 
66.1 

60.0 
76.7 

73.8 
88.3 

80.0 
91.7 

87.7 
93.9 

92.3 
96.7 

95.4 
98.3 

4.6 
1.7 

37.6 

8.5 
16.8 

61.6 

28.1 
49.0 

72.2 

41.9 
60.3 

84.5 

53.0 
67.8 

88.6 

65.9 
74.3 

70.3 

52.5 
71.7 

92.2 

77.0 
81.8 

79.5 

63.2 
77.0 

95.5 

84.1 
88.4 

97.6 

90.4 
92.8 

2.4 

9.6 

7.2 

562 

375 
113 

12.8 

2.1 
12.4 

26.9 

5.9 
23.9 

10.0 

5.0 
23.1 

39.0 

17.3 
36.3 

51.4 

29.6 
49.6 

60.7 

40.8 
63.7 

86.3 

73.1 
81.4 

91.6 

81.3 
88.5 

8.4 

18.7 
11.5 

488 

400 
26 

4.5 

1.3 
15.4 

21.7 

11.3 
30.8 

34.2 

21.0 
50.0 

46.1 

30.8 
53.8 

57.0 

45.5 
61.5 

66.4 

55.3 
73.1 

75.0 

64.5 
76.9 

83.0 

73.3 
76.9 

17.0 

26.7 
23.1 

426 

371 
18 

2.1 

.3 
5.6 

6.1 

1.6 
11.1 

12.4 

4.9 
16.7 

22.8 

11.1 
33.3 

32.2 

21.8 
44.4 

46.5 

34.8 
50.0 

56.3 

48.2 
66.7 

65.3 

60.9 
77.8 

73.5 

69.8 
77.8 

26.5 

30.2 
22.2 

389 

1,481 
629 

.5 

3.8 
22.4 

2.1 

8.2 
36.9 

5.4 

15.9 
49.9 

12.1 

26.2 
61.8 

22.9 

37.0 
71.7 

47.3 

35.5 

49.8 
77.6 

49.1 

60.9 
83.6 

61.7 

70.6 
88.7 

70.2 

78.5 
92.5 

29.8 

21.5 
7.5 

2,110 

9.3 

16.8 

26.1 

36.8 

58.1 

67.6 

76.0 

82.7 

17.3 

Clothing  standards  are  difficult  of  determination,  and  all  past  studies 
have  tended  to  place  requirements  too  low.  The  Factory  Investigating 
Committee  of  New  York  allowed  $50  per  year  for  a  man  at  work;  $38.50 
for  a  woman  in  the  home  and  correspondingly  lower  costs  for  children. 
Accepting  these  standards,  however,  "it  may  be  said  without  hesitation, 
that  a  large  proportion  of  the  families  included  in  this  investigation 
were  not  supplied  with  necessary  and  respectable  clothing  and  were 
financially  unable  to  keep  themselves  so  clothed."  Only  among  families 
receiving  incomes  of  $1,500  and  over  a  year  were  the  minimum  require- 
ments sfecured. 

It  appears  that  the  average  expenditures  for  clothing  in  1916,  by  the 
white  families  with  incomes  of  less  than  $900  a  year  were,  for  husbands, 
only  $26.01  and  for  wives,  only  $17.60.  For  colored  families  the  expen- 
ditures were  slightly  less — for  husbands,  $20.72,  and  for  wives,  $16.29. 
Even  for  the  families  with  incomes  between  $900  and  $1,200,  the  average 
clothing  expenditures  were  only  $34.36  for  the  husbands  and  $26.94 
for  the  wives  in  white  families,  and  $28.92  for  husbands  and  $25.23  for 
wives  in  colored  families.  These  averages  are  far  below  the  cost  stand- 
ards described  above  as  absolutely  necessary  minimum  expenditures  for 
healthy  and  decent  clothing.     For  the  sake  of  brevity  this  analysis  has 


112  BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 

been  limited  to  husbands  and  wives.     The  expenditures  for  children 
were  correspondingly  low. 

As  incomes  increased,  expenditures  for  care  in  sickness  increased, 
which  suggests  that  among  poorer  families  such  expenditures  as  are 
made  are  inadequate  and  the  results  "detrimental  to  the  health  of  the 
individual  sufferers,  and  the  welfare  of  the  community." 

Practically  only  free  amusements  are  indulged  in  by  families  of  the 
low-income  groups.  Of  83  families  receiving  incomes  of  less  than  $600  a 
year,  only  35  incurred  any  direct  expenditures  for  amusements.  Amuse- 
ment, however,  is  a  necessity  in  normal  life,  and  the  New  York  Factory 
Investigating  Committee  allowed  $50  a  year  as  a  normal  expenditure  for 
recreation  and  amusement.  The  average  expenditure  for  amusements 
per  family  was  $12.70  and  for  vacations  $32.39,  or  $45.09  for  both  items. 


BUDGET  PROPOSED  BY  SEATTLE  AND  TACOMA,  WASH- 
INGTON, STREET  RAILWAY  EMPLOYES. 


BRIEF  ON  BEHALF  OF  EMPLOYES. 

IN  RE  ARBITRATION  OF  THE  MATTERS  NOW  IN  CONTROVERSY  BE- 
TWEEN THE  PUGET  SOUND  TRACTION,  LIGHT  &  POWER  COMPANY, 
THE  TACOMA  RAILWAY  &  POWER  COMPANY  AND  THEIR  EM- 
PLOYES. 


BEFORE 


DR.  HENRY  SUZZALLO 
JAMES  A.  DUNCAN 

and 
C.  J.  FRANKLIN. 


In  the  course  of  the  arbitration  proceedings  between  the  Seattle  and 
Tacoma  street  railway  companies  and  their  employes,  the  attorneys 
for  the  employes,  Reynolds  and  Harrow,  submitted  in  their  brief  a 
minimum  budget  for  the  street  railway  workers,  based  on  evidence 
which  had  been  placed  before  the  Board  of  Arbitration.  After  com- 
piling retail  prices,  they  weighted  the  prices  of  food  and  fuel  according 
to  the  Washington  State  Bureau  of  Labor  budget  (^). 

Applying  the  average  prices  obtained  from  the  foregoing  table  to  the 
quantities  for  a  family  of  five,  taken  from  the  Government  Bulletin,  and 
as  followed  by  the  State  Labor  Commissioner,  we  have  the  following: 


See  pages  99-101. 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 
GROCERIES  AND  MILK. 


113 


200  lbs.  sugar,  granulated  cane,  @  9.3c  per  lb. 
14  sacks  of  flour,  fancy  patent,  49  lb.  @  $3.14 

2  sacks  of  corn  meal  10  lbs.  @  7.65c 

75  lbs.  rolled  oats,  bulk  @  6Mc 

8  cwt.  potatoes,  white,  @  $2.^5  per  cwt 

25  lbs.  beans,  navy,  @  19c 

26  lbs.  onions  @  6.5c :  .  . 

12  lbs.  barley,  pearl,  @  12  %c 

10  lbs.  split  peas  @  12  2-3c 

22  lbs.  rice,  Japan,  @  8.95c 

80  lbs.  butter,  creamery,  @  50.1c 

25  lbs.  butter,  ranch,  @  44.17c 

30  lbs.  soda  crackers  @  16.4c 

80  doz.  eggs,  fresh,  @  51.71c 

4  lbs.  macaroni  @  9.58c 

20  lbs.  cheese,  American,  @  30.4c 

6  lbs.  cheese,  Swiss  (imp.)  @  38l4c 

12  lbs.  raisins,  seedless,  @  15c 

20  lbs.  dried  prunes  @  IS^c 

8  doz.  lemons  @  35c 

3  gals,  syrup,  corn,  @  84c 

10  lbs.  comb  honey  @  20.8c 

3  gals,  pickles,  sour,  @  55c 

3  gals,  vinegar,  cider,  @  45c 

18  cans  canned  tomatoes.  No.  2,  @  19.8c 

22  cans  canned  corn,  No.  2,  @  18Kc 

20  cans  canned  peas  @  17Kc 

9  cans  canned  beans.  No.  2,  @  14.9c 

3  lbs.  baking  soda  @  8  l-9c 

9  lbs.  baking  powder,  cream  tartar,  @  38  l-3c 

12  lbs.  corn  starch  @  1 1.6c 

50  lbs.  carrots  @  2  2-3c 

35  lbs.  cabbage  @  2Kc 

40  lbs.  coffee  @  32  Kc 

10  lbs.  tea,  medium  grade  @  53  l-3c 

12  pints  tomato  catsup  @  23  l-3c 

20  lbs.  salt  @  2.28c 

85  bars  soap  @  6.3c 

Vegetables 

Fruit 

Milk : 

Total 


$  18.60 

43.96 

.77 

4.88 

18.00 

4.75 

1.77 

1.52 

1.27 

1.97 

40.08 

11.04 

4.92 

41.37 

.38 

6.08 

2.30 

1.80 

3.10 

2.80 

2.52 

2.08 

1.65 

1.35 

3.56 

4.13 

3.50 

1.34 

.24 

3.45 

1.39 

1.34 

.96 

13.00 

5.33 

2.50 

.46 

5.42 

20.00 

15.00 

46.65 


$347.53 


MEAT  AND  FISH. 


75  lbs.  lard  @  27.92c 

$  20.94 

1.17 

1.01 

6.18 

17.66 

7.32 

2.74 

30.30 

15.10 

28.50 

9.44 

14.38 

19.26 

7.03 

12.34 

5  cans  canned  oysters.  No.  2,  @  23.34c 

5  cans  canned  clams.  No.  1,  @  20.26c 

24  lbs.  canned  salmon.  No.  1,  @  24^c 

40  lbs.  smoked  bacon  @  44.14c 

20  lbs.  smoked  ham  @  36.62c 

10  lbs.  smoked  shoulder  @  27.4c 

150  lbs.  roast  beef  @  20.2c 

100  lbs!  boiling  meat  @  15.1c 

120  lbs.  steak  @  23J<c 

40  lbs.  veal  @  23.6c 

50  lbs.  mutton  @  28Kc 

60  lbs.  pork  @  32.1c 

25  lbs.  poultry  @  28.3c 

68  lb.«.  fresh  fish  @  18.15c 

Total  groceries j 

$347.53 
193.42 

$193.42 

Total  meat  and  fish 

Total  groceries,  meat  and  fish 

$540.95 
59.70 

Fuel 

Total  food  and  fuel 

$600.65 

114  BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 

CLOTHING  FOR  FAMILY. 

Mr.  R.  G.  Sharp,  an  attorney  in  the  employ  of  the  defendant  com- 
panies, allowed  $200  as  a  sum  sufficient  to  provide  clothing  for  an  entire 
family  and  divided  it  among  four  people — husband,  wife  and  two  children. 

To  take  an  arbitrary  sum  as  the  cost  of  clothing,  and  then  divide  the 
items  which  are  properly  considered  as  a  part  of  family  clothing,  so  as 
to  come  within  that  sum,  is  wholly  unfair.  It  is  deciding  in  advance 
of  obtaining  the  facts;  it  is  drawing  the  conclusion  before  ascertaining 
the  premise.  We  claim  that  the  only  fair  method  of  determining  the 
cost  of  family  apparel  is  to  consider  item  by  item  the  things  necessary, 
and  after  the  items  have  been  agreed  upon,  and  the  fair  prices  ascer- 
tained, then  total  the  cost  of  the  items.  The  result  will  be  the  fair  sum 
to  be  allowed.  Any  other  procedure  may  result  in  injustice.  If  the  sum 
chosen  in  the  first  instance  is  in  excess  of  the  proper  amount,  then  items 
will  be  added  in  order  to  make  up  the  amount.  If,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  sum  is  less  than  the  fair  amount  necessary,  items  will  be  removed  in 
order  to  bring  the  total  cost  within  the  amount  allowed.  As  an  illus- 
tration, the  allowance  of  $2  for  one  underskirt,  as  the  proper  number  of 
underskirts,  and  the  correct  amount  to  be  allowed  for  a  woman  for  the 
period  of  one  year,  is  entirely  insufficient.  Common  decency  and  clean- 
liness will  demand  more  than  one  underskirt  for  a  woman  for  the  period 
of  one  year,  and  yet  Mr.  Sharp  has  allowed  only  one  underskirt  and  fixed 
the  price  thereof  at  the  sum  of  $2.  Other  illustrations  could  be  made 
from  Mr.  Sharp's  budget.  We  feel  that  Mr.  Sharp's  whole  testimony 
is  unreliable.  In  the  first  place,  he  showed  himself  entirely  ignorant  of 
the  subject,  his  whole  testimony  being  based  upon  the  veriest  hearsay. 
The  employes,  however,  presented  witnesses  who  testified  from  their 
actual  experience.  Of  course,  this  Board  of  Arbitration  will  follow  testi- 
mony drawn  from  actual  experience  in  preference  to  mere  hearsay. 
We,  therefore,  claim  that  the  testimony  of  wives  of  motormen  and  con- 
ductors was  by  far  the  best  evidence  produced  on  the  subject  of  women's 
apparel,  and  of  apparel  for  children.  It  is  even  less  than  what  should 
be  allowed.  It  does  not  provide  for  an  Easter  bonnet,  an  Easter  dress, 
or  for  any  of  the  items  dear  to  a  woman's  heart.  We,  therefore,  discard 
Mr.  Sharp's  whole  testimony  on  this  subject  as  unreliable  and  unfair, 
and  far  below  the  amount  common  decency  and  humanity  require. 
The  sums  allowed  for  women's  apparel  are  as  follows: 

Mrs.  Charles  J.  Hopwood,  Tacoma $162 .  50 

Mrs.  C.  A.  Sturmer,  Tacoma 155 .  55 

Mrs.  J.  C.  Bumgarner,  Seattle 192  .  40 

Mrs.  Peterson.  Seattle 196 .  40 

Mrs.  J.  C.  Nelson,  Seattle 174.95 

$882.35 

This  amount  of  $882.35,  divided  by  five,  gives  an  average  of  $174.47 
as  the  amount  for  a  woman's  clothing  for  a  3^ear. 

The  sums  allowed  for  a  girl  of  twelve  years  for  a  year  are  as  follows: 

Mrs.  Charles  J.  Hopwood,  Tacoma $  91 . 85 

Mrs.  C.  A.  Sturmer,  Tacoma 91 .  60 

Mrs.  Peterson,  Seattle 79 .  15 

Mrs.  J.  C.  Bumgarner,  Seattle 99 .  65 

$362 . 25 

making  an  average  of  $90.56  for  a  girl's  clothing. 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES.  115 

The  sums  allowed  for  a  boy  of  fourteen  years  for  a  year  are  as  follows: 

Mrs.  Charles  J.  Hopwood,  Tacoma $  63 . OS 

Mrs.  C.  A.  Sturmer,  Tacoma 61 .  10 

Mrs.  Bumgafner,  Seattle 74 .  70 

Mrs.  Peterson,  Seattle 87 .  65 

Mrs.  J.  C.  Nelson,  Seattle 93 .  70 

$380.20 

making  an  average  of  $76.04  for  a  boy's  clothing  for  a  year. 

The  witnesses  who  testified  with  reference  to  the  men's  clothing  were 
Mr.  Wallace  and  Mr.  Morgan.  Prices  were  obtained  from  McCormack 
Bros,  and  Dixon  Bros.,  clothing  concerns  in  Tacoma,  and  Mr.  Wallace 
also  obtained  figures  from  Seattle.  Mr.  Morgan  testified  that  $247.95 
was  the  price  of  items  obtained  from  McCormack  Bros.,  and  $167.85 
from  Dixon  Bros.,  and  Mr.  Wallace  testified  to  $129.20  as  obtained  in 
the  city  of  Seattle,  but  neglected  to  include  a  sweater,  a  mackinaw  and 
an  umbrella.     We  will  include  these  items: 

A  sweater $  7 .  00 

Mackinaw 8 .  00 

Umbrella '. 2.50 

Total $17 .  SO 

making  a  total  for  Mr.  Wallace  of  $146.70. 

The  average  expenditure  is  the  sum  of  $187.50  a  year  for  a  man's 
clothing. 

FAMILY  UNIT. 

The  clothing  for  two  children,  instead  of  three,  has  been  taken.  The 
universal  family  unit,  however,  throughout  the  United  States,  is  five- 
The  gradual  decrease  in  the  size  of  the  family,  we  contend,  is  the  result 
of  the  increased  struggle  required  by  parents  to  feed,  clothe  and  educate 
their  children.  On  the  present  wage  and  present  prices  a  man  hesitates 
to  marry,  and  married  people  to  rear  children.  For  a  street  car  employe 
to  bring  children  into  the  world  to  suffer  the  privations  required  by  the 
present  wage  and  gost  of  living  is  sufficient  to  give  pause  to  any  human 
being.  If  industrial  conditions  are  to  mean  an  unending  struggle  for 
sheer  existence,  culminating  in  positive  poverty  for  old  age,  we  must  at 
least  sympathize  with  the  point  of  view  of  the  employe  who  refuses  to 
marry,  or  of  the  married  employe  who  refuses  to  bring  children  into  the 
world  to  add  to  his  present  privations.  As  we  have  pointed  out  in  our 
opening  statement,  the  law  of  the  State  encourages  the  rearing  of  chil- 
dren. We  submit  this  matter  to  the  good  judgment  and  common  sense 
of  the  Board  of  Arbitration.  We  contend  that  a  family  of  five  is  the 
proper  unit,  and  that  to  limit  the  family  budget  to  a  family  of  four,  or  a 
family  of  three,  is  establishing  a  principle  that  is  not  for  the  best  interest 
of  our  State  and  country. 


116  BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 

PROPER   AND    NECESSARY   EQUIPMENT   AND    MAINTENANCE    OF   A 
HOME  ACCORDING  TO  A  REASONABLE  STANDARD  OF  LIVING. 

Mr.  Gottstein,  of  the  Gottstein  Furniture  Company,  testified  that  $5 
a  month,  or  $60  a  year,  was  the  minimum  that  could  be  allowed  to  main- 
tain the  furniture  in  the  home.  Mr.  Sharp  has  allowed  $30  a  year  to 
cover  this  item.  Mr.  Gottstein  testified  that  he  has  had  actual  experi- 
ence in  selling  home  equipment  to  street  car  people,  and  that  from  his 
experience  he  gave  his  testimony.  Mr.  Sharp  has  had  no  actual  ex- 
perience. It  would  seem  that  if  this  is  to  be  determined  from  the  testi- 
mony the  sum  of  $60  at  least  should  be  allowed  for  the  proper  mainten- 
ance of  the  household  equipment. 


EDUCATION  OF  CHILDREN. 

The  education  of  children  is  compulsory  in  this  State.  School  books 
are  free,  but  school  books  do  not  cover  the  entire  cost  of  education  of 
children.  Personal  experience  proves  to  the  contrary.  Whether  the 
child  is  attending  kindergarten,  grammar  school,  high  school,  or  the 
university,  entertainments  and  social  obligations  that  the  child  must 
meet  require  the  expenditure  of  a  small  sum  each  month.  One  dollar 
per  month  will  not  cover  fully  this  item.  We  will,  however,  allow  the 
sum  of  one  dollar  per  month,  or  $12  per  year  to  cover  cost  incident  to  the 
education  of  children.  Schools  create  a  taste  for  reading,  which  results 
in  the  requirement  of  books  outside  of  the  books  furnished  in  the  school. 
While  we  suggest  the  foregoing  allowance  for  education  of  children,  we 
do  so  with  knowledge  that  the  actual  expenditure  will  exceed  that 
amount. 


DENTISTRY,  MEDICINE,  GLASSES  AND  SICKNESS.  1 

Witnesses  testified  as  to  the  amount  required  to  be  expended  for  these 
items.  No  two  families  will  expend  the  same  amount.  Mrs.  Hannan 
testified  that  it  cost  her  family  approximately  $10  a  month.  Mr.  Sharp 
has  allowed  the  sum  of  $25  a  year,  or  $2.08  a  month.  This  sum  is,  on 
its  face,  far  too  small  to  cover  the  average  cost  of  dentistry  and  sickness. 
Ten  dollars  per  month  in  some  families  would  be  more  than  is  necessary. 
If  one  child  is  born  into  the  family,  the  expenditure  for  the  year  would 
exceed  this  amount  in  view  of  other  probable  costs  for  sickness  during 
the  same  year.  We  will  allow  for  these  requirements  the  sum  of  $60 
a  year,  or  $5  per  month.  This  sum  clearly  is  very  moderate  for  that 
purpose.  Many  families  will  far  exceed  it,  and  very  few  will  fail  to 
exhaust  it. 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 
DUES  TO   CHURCHES  OR  FRATERNAL  SOCIETIES. 


117 


The  testimony  has  shown  that  approximately  33%  of  the  employes 
in  the  city  of  Seattle  belong  to  some  church,  and  a  larger  percentage 
belong  to  fraternal  societies.  The  minimum  dues  for  membership  in  a 
fraternal  society,  which  is  not  optional,  exceed  the  sum  of  $1  per  month. 
Some  fraternal  societies  having  the  insurance  feature  charge  considerably 
more  than  $1,  some  less  than  $1.  One  dollar  per  month  certainly  is  a 
very  moderate  sum  to  allow  for  this  item.  We  will,  however,  adopt  it 
and  allow  $12  per  year  for  church  and  fraternal  societies. 


ADEQUATE  INSURANCE. 

Three  witnesses  have  testified  on  this  subject,  two  for  the  employes 
and  one  for  the  companies.  Happily  these  three  agreed  upon  the  amount 
that  should  be  taken  out  of  the  wage  each  month  for  insurance.  Mr. 
Dwight  Mead,  witness  for  the  companies,  testified  that  10%  should  be 
allowed.  Mr.  Hughes  and  Mr.  Silliman  testified  to  the  same  effect. 
This  amount  we  think  is  fair  and  reasonable  for  insurance.  We  are 
willing  to  accept  less,  on  the  basis  of  a  flat  allowance  of  $10  per  month 
for  insurance.  The  allowance  will  purchase  insurance  in  the  amounts 
set  forth  in  the  following  table,  beginning  with  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years : 


21  years  @  $19.60  per  thousand 

$6,125 
5,975 
5,850 
5,725 
5,580 
5,450 
5,340 
5.190 
5,060 
4.940 
4.800 
4.675 
4,530 
4.400 
4.275 
4.160 
4,025 
3,910 
3,775 
3.650 
3.530 
3.400 
3,278 
3,150 
3.040 
2.920 
2,805 
2,690 
2.595 
2,485 
2,390 
2,280 
2,190 
2,090 
2,000 
1,920 
1,850 
1,740 
1,660 
1,575 

22  years  @    20.05  per  thousand 

23  years  @    20.50  per  thousand 

24  years  @    20.05  per  thousand 

25  years  @    21.45  per  thousand 

26  years  @    22.00  per  thousand 

27  years  @    25.55  per  thousand 

28  years  @    23,15  per  thousand 

29  years  @    23.75  per  thousand 

30  years  @    24.35  per  thousand 

31  years  @    25.00  per  thousand 

32  years  @    25.70  per  thousand 

33  years  @    26.45  per  thousand 

34  years  @    27.35  per  thousand 

35  years  @    28.10  per  thousand 

36  years  @    28.95  per  thousand 

37  years  @    29.85  per  thousand 

38  years  @    30.80  per  thousand 

39  years  @    31.80  per  thousand 

40  years  @    32.90  per  thousand 

41  years  @    34.10  per  thousand 

42  years  @    35.35  per  thousand 

43  years  (§>    36.65  per  thousand 

44  years  @    38.05  per  thousand 

45  years  @    39.55  per  thousand 

46  years  @    41.14  per  thousand 

47  years  @    42.80  per  thousand 

48  years  @    44.55  per  thousand 

49  years  @    46.35  per  thousand 

50  years  @    48.30  per  thousand 

51  years  @    50.35  per  thousand 

52  years  @    52.55  per  thousand 

53  years  @    54.90  per  thousand 

54  years  @    57.40  per  thousand 

55  years  @    60.06  per  thousand 

56  years  @    62.85  per  thousand 

57  years  @    65.85  per  thousand 

58  years  @    69.05  per  thousand 

59  years  @    72.45  per  thousand 

60  years  @    76.05  per  thousand 

We,  therefore,  allow  for  the  item  of  insurance  the  sum  of  $120  per 
annum  as  a  very  modest  sum  for  that  purpose. 


118  BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 

READING  MATTER  AND  MUSIC -FOR  THE  HOME  AND  SOME  AMUSEMENTS 
FOR  PARENTS  AND  CHILDREN. 

Under  this  heading  we  will  include  toys  for  the  children,  and  music 
and  reading  matter  for  the  home.  The  local  dailies  delivered  to  the  home 
on  the  basis  of  annual  subscription  will  cost  as  follows: 

1.  Post-Intelligencer,       $9.00  per  year. 

2.  Seattle  Daily  Times,    9.00  per  year. 

3.  Seattle  Star,  3.50  per  year. 

Any  good  magazine  will  cost  $1.20  per  year.  A  musical  instrument, 
together  with  music,  in  the  home  will  cost  $12  per  year  approximately. 
Toys  for  the  children  will  cost  not  less  than  $6  per  year.  The  total 
expenditure  for  these  items,  without  extravagance,  is  as  follows: 

Newspapers  (allowed  by  Mr.  Sharp,  including  magazine) $12.00 

Musical  Instruments  (including  music) 12 .00 

Toys,  etc.,  for  children 6 . 00 

Total $30 .00 

GAS. 

Mr.  Sharp  allows  $10  per  year  for  gas.  From  experience  we  know  that 
this  sum  falls  far  short  of  the  necessary  yearly  expenditure  for  gas  in  a 
home  under  present  prices.  Mr.  Sharp  probably  does  not  know  that  the 
price  of  gas  has  been  increased.  From  figures  we  have  been  able  to 
obtain,  we  feel  that  the  sum  of  $22.16  should  be  allowed  for  this  item. 


PROFIT  TO  PROVIDE  FOR  INCAPACITY  OF  OLD  AGE. 

How  rarely  do  we  ever  associate  the  employe  with  profits  over  the 
necessities  of  life!  How  rarely  do  we  ever  contemplate  the  business  man 
apart  from  his  profits!  "How  is  business?"  is  the  usual  salutation. 
Around  the  word  "profits"  are  centered  the  very  lives  of  thousands  of 
Americans.  Profit  is  the  amount  left  in  the  hands  of  the  business  man 
after  all  the  costs  of  doing  business  have  been  paid.  Profit  to  the  em- 
ploye is  the  amount  of  his  wages  left  in  his  hands  after  paying  all  the 
costs  of  living.  If  the  employe  is  not  to  be  a  charge  upon  the  State 
when  he  reaches  the  point  of  incapacity  as  the  result  of  age,  he  must 
have  profits.  Some  countries  recognize  this  truism  and  old  age  pensions 
are  provided.  Our  Government  has  not  recognized  it,  and  as  a  result 
the  broken-down  employe  is  left  in  old  age  at  the  mercy  of  charity. 

If  a  man  out  of  his  wages  can  save  $10  per  month,  at  the  end  of  the 
first  year  he  will  have  accumulated  $120,  and  if  thereafter  every  year  he 
is  permitted  to  save  $120  and  his  savings  are  placed  at  4%  interest, 
compounded  semi-annually,  at  the  expiration  of  ten  years  he  will  have 
the  sum  of  $1,442.30;  at  the  expiration  of  twenty  years,  $3,592.81; 
at  the  expiration  of  thirty  years,  $6,779.67;  at  the  expiration  of  forty 
years,  $11,538.46.  In  the  interim  of  accumulation  he  will  be  protected 
by  insurance.     The  sum  of  $120  per  year  for  profit  is  certainly  not 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


119 


exorbitant.  If  you  ask  the  average  working  man  what  he  is  making, 
he  says,  "Oh,  I  am  making  a  Hving."  What  did  the  slave  make? — 
a  Hving.  It  is  our  contention  that  the  employe  is  entitled  to  something 
more  than  a  living.  For  this  item  we  ask  that  he  be  allowed  to  make  as 
a  profit  the  sum  of  $120  per  year.  If  this  allowance  is  made  it  will  give 
the  very  saving  and  the  very  ambitious  a  chance  in  the  world.  He  can 
deny  himself  even  the  necessities  of  life  to  get  to  a  position  of  safety. 
It  will  make  the  job  held  by  the  employe  worth  something.  We  will 
therefore  allow  this  i*^em  which  Mr.  Sharp  has  omitted. 

HOUSE  RENT,  CAR  FARE  AND  TOBACCO. 

We  will  agree  with  Mr.  Sharp  in  his  allowance  of  $15  per  month,  in- 
cluding water,  as  the  amount  to  be  allowed  for  rent,  and  fix  the  sum  of 
$180  per  year  to  cover  that  item.  We  also  accept  his  allowance  of 
$65  for  street  car  fare.  Mr.  Sharp  has  allowed  the  sum  of  $6.20  per  year 
for  tobacco.  To  this  we  add  the  same  amount  for  the  wife  for  ice 
cream,  candy,  etc.,  making  a  total  of  $12.40. 

COST  OF  LIVING  FOR  FAMILY  OF  FIVE  PERSONS. 


Groceries,  meats  and  fish , 

Fuel 

Clothing  for  wife 

Clothing  for  girl  of  12  years , 

Clothing  for  boy  of  14  years 

Clothing  for  extra  child 

Clothing  for  man 

Maintenance  household  equipment . 

Education  of  children 

Dues  to  church  or  fraternal  society . 

Dentistry,  medicine,  etc 

Insurance 

Reading  matter,  music,  etc 

Savings  for  old  age 

Gas  for  household  use 

Electric  light 

Rent  and  water 

Street  car  fare 

Tobacco,  ice  cream,  etc 


Total $1,917 


540.95 
59.70 

174.47 
90.56 
76.04 
83.30 

187.50 
60.00 
12.00 
12.00 
60.00 

120.00 
30.00 

120.00 
22.16 
12.00 

180.00 
65.00 
12.20 


120 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


6.— BUDGET  AWARDED  TO  SEATTLE  AND  TACOMA,   WASH- 
INGTON, STREET  RAILWAY  EMPLOYES. 

The  Board  of  Arbitration  referred  to  in  the  previous  section   awarded 
the  following  minimum  budget  as  the  basis  of  its  wage  award: 


FINDINGS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  ARBITRATION  APPOINTED  TO  DETERMINE 
MATTERS  IN  CONTROVERSY  BETWEEN  THE  PUGET  SOUND  TRAC- 
TION, LIGHT  &  POWER  CO.,  THE  TACOMA  RAILWAY  & 
.  POWER  COMPANY  AND  THEIR  EMPLOYES. 


Groceries — Meat — Fish 

Fuel 

Clothing — man 

Clothing — woman 

Clothing— girl  of  8  or  9 

Clothing — boy  of  14 

Clothing — boy  of  5  or  6 

Maintenance  of  household  equipment . 

Education 

Church — Fraternal  dues 

Medicine — doctor,  dentist 

Insurance 

Reading  matter,  music 

Savings 

Gas. 


Electric  light 

Rent  and  water 

Street  car  fare 

Tobacco,  ice  cream 

Recreation — movies,  etc 

Incidentals — stamps,  barber,  etc. 
Miscellaneous 


Total $1 ,505 .  60 


♦See  Education. 


$533 . 40 
60.00 
90.50 
87.00 
32.50 
48.50 
33.00 
40.00 
11.00 
20.00 
60.00 
30.00 
* 

100.00 
20.00 
15.00 

184.00 
35.70 
30.00 
30.00 
25.00 
20.00 


Minimum  Comfort  Budget 
for  one  year  for  a 
family  of  five. 


TOTAL  BUDGET 


Clothing 

$  291.50 
533.40 
366.00 
314.70 

Food 

Rent,  etc 

Total 

$1,505.60 

REMARKS  ON  TOTAL  BUDGET. 


This  budget  may  be  called  a  minimum  comfort  budget  and  is  slightly 
higher  than  a  minimum  health  budget.  Various  minimum  health  bud- 
gets have  been  constructed  and  vary  slightly  from  city  to  city  and 
significantly  from  year  to  year  as  the  cost  of  living  rises.  The  minimum 
comfort  budget  has  been  rarely  set  by  experts.  Theoretically  such  a 
standard  would  vary  according  to  the  definition  of  comfort  of  the  par- 
ticular investigator.  Practically  such  varying  levels  are  not  as  great 
as  would  seem  theoretically  because  minimum  comfort  budgets,  actually 
existing,  group  around  a  definite  level. 


i 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


121 


The  accompanying  budget  is  not  one  for  an  ideal  family.  The  ideal 
wife  is  one  who  wastes  no  calories  in  food  preparation  and  one  having 
the  expert  knowledge  of  sewing  of  a  graduate  in  domestic  economy; 
but  few  actual  wives  have  had  the  benefit  of  such  education. 

The  budget  is,  however,  a  generalized  budget.  Thus  some  men 
smoke  and  some  do  not.  The  item  for  smoking  should  be  generalized 
very  much  as  the  statistical  term,  the  arithmetic  mean,  is  a  generalized 
term. 

Actual  budgets  vary  around  a  particular  definite  level,  just  as  men 
vary  in  stature  and  weight.  Particular  extremes  are  therefore  not  cited; 
but  the  items  have  been  set  near  an  approximate  arithmetic  mean  of 
budgets,  many  of  which  have  been  collected  from  existing  families; 
although  there  is  some  argument  for  setting  items  nearer  the  upper 
variations  than  near  the  mean. 

The  budget  is  for  a  family  of  five.  Three  children  are  chosen  for 
various  reasons,  (a)  Three  children  at  least  are  necessary  for  the  race 
to  perpetuate  itself,  (b)  Federal  and  state  experts  do  not  make  out 
budgets  for  less  than  families  of  five;  thus,  neither  public  nor  expert 
opinion  sanctions  a  smaller  standard,  (c)  Standards  of  a  warring  and 
industrially  competing  nation  would  seem  to  demand  three  children  as 
a  minimum,  (d)  Unmarried  men  are  less  desirable  than  married  men, 
individually  and  socially,  physically  and  morally;  and  the  economic 
barrier  to  marriage  is  recognized  as  an  important  one.  (e)  The  family 
of  five,  while  larger  than  the  average  in  the  company's  employ,  may 
nevertheless  be  taken  as  the  standard  family  of  workmen  receiving  the 
maximum  hourly  rate,  and  the  lower  differentials  worked  out  from  this 
rate. 


REMARKS  ON  CLOTHING  BUDGET. 

The  clothing  estimates  are  made  on  the  assumption  that  the  wife 
does  some  sewing  and  remaking  of  some  garments  for  the  children. 
The  figures  are  based  on  estimates  of  the  life  of  garments  to  fractions  of 
years.     The  clothing  is  also  for  a  generalized  family. 

CLOTHING. 


Man — 
Top  coats  (mackinaw-overcoat,  sweater) . . . 

Suits  (uniform,  suit,  extra  trousers) 

Shoes  (and  repairs) 

Overshoes 

Underwear  (woolen  and  cotton) 

Night  garments 

Hats  (uniform  cap  and  hat) 

Shirts  (flannel  and  cotton) 

Sox 

Gloves  (average  conductor  and  motorman) 

Ties,  collars  and  handkerchiefs 

Suspenders  and  garters 

Incidentals  (cuff  buttons,  brush,  etc.) 

Total 


122 


•  BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 
CLOTHING— Continued. 


Woman — 

Top  coat 

Suits ; 

Shoes  (and  repairs) 

Rubbers 

Underwear 

Nightgowns 

Underskirt 

Corset 

Kimono 

Waists 

House  dresses 

Street  dress 

Hats 

Gloves i 

Incidentals  (veils,  pins,  purse,  brush,  slippers,  hndkfs.,  etc.) 

Stockings 

Aprons 

Umbrella 

Total 


$  8.00 

12.50 

14.00 

.50 

5.00 

3.00 

2.00 

3.00 

.50 

4.50 

5.00 

7.50 

9.00 

2.50 

4.50 

2.50 

2.00 

1.00 

$87.00 


Boy  of  13  or  14  years — 
Top  coat  (mackinaw  and  sweater) 

Suit  (and  trousers) 

Shoes  (and  repairs) 

Underwear 

Night  garments 

Hats 

Shirts 

Stockings 

Ties,  handkerchiefs,  etc 

Total 


Girl  of  8  or  9  years — 
Top  coat  (  and  sweater) . . . 

Shoes  (and  repairs) 

Underwaists  and  garters .  .  , 
Dresses  (school  and  best) . . 
Petticoat  (or  bloomers) .  .  . 

Night  garments 

Hats 

Stockings 

Ribbons  and  handkerchiefs 

Umbrella 

Underwear 

Total 


Boy  of  5  or  6  years — 

Top  coat  (and  sweater) 

Shoes  (and  repairs) 

Suits  (wash,  best  and  coveralls) 

Rubbers 

Underwaists  and  garters 

Night  garments 

Hats  (and  caps) 

Waists  (and  blouses) 

Mittens,  ties,  handkerchiefs 

Stockings 

Underwear 

Total 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


123 


REMARKS  ON  FOOD  BUDGET. 

Various  dietaries  with  differing  proportions  of  meats,  vegetables, 
fats,  etc.,  have  been  constructed  and  each  totals  nearly  the  same  figure. 
The  calorie  requirements  are  slightly  over  12,000  a  week  for  a  family  of 
five,  distributed  as  follows:  man,  3,400;  woman,  2,700;  boy  of  thirteen 
or  fourteen,  2,700;  girl  of  eight  or  nine,  2,000;  boy  of  five  or  six,  1,500. 
The  figure  for  meat  is  a  little  lower  than  is  actually  found  among  the 
carmen's  families,  but  it  is  quite  probable  that  during  war  time  the  item 
for  meat  will  become  progressively  lower. 


FOOD 
Cereal    

$  26.00 
78.00 
41.60 
98.80 
16.64 
52.00 
93.60 
23.40 
87.36 
16.00 

Vegetables                                                                 .    .        

Fruit 

Meat  and  meat  substitutes                

Flour 

Bread                     

Fats 

Sugar                     

Milk 

Coffee  and  tea    .*■ 

Total 

$533.40 

REMARKS  ON  SUNDRIES. 

The  insurance  and  savings  item  is  larger  than  actually  occurs,  due 
probably  to  the  fact  that  expenses  and  wages  do  not  at  present  permit 
saving.  The  item  is  conservatively  low.  Medical  and  dental  care 
varies  widely,  but  $60  seems  to  be  near  the  present  average.  The 
miscellaneous  item  is  included  because  it  actually  exists. 


SUNDRIES. 
Amusements  (movies,  vacations,  picnics,  etc.) 

Education  and  literature , 

Insurance  and  savings 

Comforts  (tobacco,  candy,  Christmas,  etc.)  .  . 

Organizations 

Dental  and  medical  care 

Incidentals  (stamps,  barbers,  stationery,  etc.) 
Household  (furniture,  laundry,  tools,  etc.) .  . .  , 
Miscellaneous  (exigencies  and  waste) 

Total 


$  30.00 
11.00 
130.00 
30.00 
20.00 
60.00 
25.00 
40.00 
20.00 

$366.00 


REMARKS  ON  RENT.  ETC. 


In  some  houses  the  water  is  not  included  in  the  rent.     Gas  has  recently 
risen  and  the  estimate  is  on  the  proposed  raise. 


RENT.  ETC. 

$184.00 
20.00 
15.00 
60.00 
35.70 

Gas 

Light 

Fuel 

Car  fare                          

Total 

$314.70 

124  BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 

REMARKS  ON  THE  RATE  OF  WAGES  TO  BE  SET,  BASED  ON  THE 
STANDARD  OF  LIVING. 


i 

J 


a 


The  standard  of  living  estimated  for  a  carman's  family  is  $1,520 
year  at  prevailing  prices.  If  the  employe  six  years  and  over  with  the 
company  averages  288  hours  of  work  a  month,  then  his  rate  of  pay 
should  be  43  cents  an  hour  in  order  to  earn  the  standard  of  living  wage. 
If  the  company  maintains  the  present  differential  for  years  of  servic 
in  the  employ,  then  a  man  five  years  in  the  service  should  receive  41 
cents;  one  for  four  years,  40  cents;  and  so  on,  to  36  cents  for  the  first' 
six  months  of  service. 

Light  may  be  thrown  on  the  wage  increase  from  another  angle,  that 
of  the  correlation  of  rising  prices  and  rising  wages.  A  survey  recently 
conducted  in  Seattle  by  the  departments  of  Economics  and  Sociology 
of  the  University  of  Washington,  for  the  United  States  Government, 
showed  that  for  the  eighteen  months  since  June  1,  1916,  the  cost  of  liv- 
ing, including  rent,  fuel,  sundries,  food  and  clothing,  had  risen  34  per 
cent,  and  figures  based  on  various  prices  indicated  a  continued  rise  of; 
considerable  magnitude  for  1918,  despite  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Hoover. . 
The  maximum  hourly  rate  of  wages  for  carmen,  June  1,  1916,  was  31 
cents.  If  the  carmen  six  years  and  over  in  the  service  maintain  the  same 
standard  of  living  in  October,  1917,  that  they  had  in  June,  1916,  the 
maximum  rate  should  be  41.5  cents.  This  figure  would  represent  a 
lowering  of  the  standard  of  living  from  December  1,  1913,  when  the  31 
cent  rate  went  into  effect,  because  the  cost  of  living  has  risen  more  since 
December  1,  1913,  than  it  has  since  June  1,  1916.  This  figure  of  41.5 
cents  is  estimated  for  October,  1917,  a  time  when  prices  are  less  than  they 
will  be  in  the  Spring  of  1918.  So  even  assuming  a  continuance  of  the 
same  standard  of  living  as  formerly,  the  hourly  wage  should  be  somewhat 
above  41.5,  probably  several  cents.  Inquiry  has  recently  been  made 
of  the  foremost  authority  on  prices  in  the  United  States  as  to  the  prob- 
able fall  in  prices  after  the  war,  or  their  probable  continuance  at  a  high 
level.  The  reply  was  that  a  definite  prediction  cannot  be  made,  but  the 
probabilities,  he  thought,  were  for  continued  high  prices. 

J 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES.  125 

7.— HIGHER   FOOD    PRICES    AND    THE    PROPER   NUTRITION 
OF  WORKINGMEN'S  FAMILIES. 

(Report  of  Professor  Jaffa  of  the  University  of  California.) 

During  September,  1917,  an  Arbitration  Board  which  had  been 
appointed  to  adjust  the  wages  of  employes  of  the  street  railways  of  Oak- 
land, California,  requested  Professor  M.  E.  Jaffa,  of  the  College  of 
Agriculture,  University  of  California,  to  submit  for  their  information 
a  report  regarding  the  increase  in  cost  of  food  during  the  preceding  ten 
years.  As  several  other  members  of  the  faculty  of  the  University  had 
been  asked  for  similar  reports.  Professor  Jaffa  decided  to  leave  the  matter 
of  the  total  family  income  to  be  discussed  by  the  economists  and  to 
emphasize  in  his  report  the  purely  nutritional  side  of  the  problem.  He 
arranged  a  table  showing  the  approximate  amounts  of  the  different 
staple  foods  which  form  the  diet  of  the  average  family.  He  then  cal- 
culated the  cost  of  this  diet  for  the  preceding  ten  years,  and  made  his 
results  the  basis  of  an  analysis  of  the  increased  cost  of  living  and  of  the 
effect  of  rising  prices  upon  the  physical  -well-being  of  the  worker  and  his 
family. 

"Food  is  no  longer,"  he  states,  "considered  as  a  mere  appeaser  of 
the  appetite.  It  is  now  recognized,  in  its  serious  aspect,  as  a  satisfier 
of  the  physiological  needs  of  the  body.  These  fundamental  food  needs 
do  not  vary  with  the  income,  but  depend  upon  such  things  as  growth, 
weight,  and  amount  of  work  performed.  It  takes  just  as  much  milk 
to  nourish  the  body  of  one  bab}^  as  it  does  another,  regardless  of  the 
father's  earning  capacity.  A  man  engaged  in  heavy  labor  requires 
more  food  than  does  an  office  man,  regardless  of  the  difference  in  income. 
But  the  DIET  is  a  different  matter.  One  man  may  eat  rib  roast  while 
another  eats  stew — but  meat  they  both  require.  One  may  eat  hot- 
house berries  while  the  other  eats  dried  apples — but  fruit  they  both 
should  have.  In  other  words,  a  proper  diet  for  any  family  should  be 
drawn  in  right  proportion  and  in  adequate  amounts  from  all  five  food 
classes,  but  for  the  family  of  small  income  the  selection  must  be  made, 
in  large  part,  from  the  cheaper  foods  or  grades  of  food  in  each  class,  and 
the  quantity  is  usually  found  to  be  nearer  to  a  minimum  than  can  be 
considered  desirable. 

"The  following  table  shows  the  effect  of  increased  prices  on  the  total 
food  cost  for  a  family  of  small  income.  It  expresses  the  average  of 
many  dietary  studies  of  such  families  and  has  been  modified  just  enough 
to  overcome  undesirable  deficiencies  due  to  enforced  privations,  and  to 
meet  the  minimum  demands  for  health  and  efficiency. 

"It  can  not  be  sufficiently  emphasized  that  while  this  type  of  diet  has 
been  selected  as  a  working  basis,  it  is  not  therefore  to  be  considered  a 
sufficient  or  an  approved  diet.  Only  a  certain  proportion  of  people  can 
maintain  health  on  a  minimum — which  provides  only  that  amount  of 
energy  which  the  body  actually  puts  forth  in  the  processes  of  living  and 
working  It  provides  no  safety  factor,  and  allows  for  no  individual 
differences.  No  person  should  be  held  down  to  a  minimum  when  the 
appetite  and  apparent  bodily  needs  seem  to  call  for  more.  A  minimum 
expresses  the  line  below  which  it  is  dangerous  to  go  All  the  food  which 
this  diet  calls  for  is  necessary,  but  not  necessarily  all  that  is  required. 


126 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


TABLE  SHOWING  INCREASE  IN  COST  OF  FOOD  FROM 
MAY,  1907,  TO  MAY,  1907. 

MINIMUM  DIET  ON  WHICH  HEALTH  CAN  BE  MAINTAINED  FOR  A  WORKINGMAN.  HIS 
WIFE  AND  THREE  CHILDREN  BETWEEN  FOUR  AND  FOURTEEN  YEARS  OF  AGE. 


Food  Materials. 


Class  I— 

Meat  and  Fi.sh 

Milk 

Eggs 

Beans 

Class  II— 

Flour 

Cereals 

Macaroni 

Rice 

Class  Ill- 
Potatoes  

Vegetables 

Fruits 

Class  IV— 

Butter 

Oils  and  Fats 

Class  V— 

Sugar 

Extras — 

Coffee  and  Tea 

Sundries 

Total,  per  month 


Food  and  Cost  for  1  Month 

Market  Price  per  Pound.         1 

Pounds 

1907 

1912 

1916 

1917 

1907 

1912 

1916 

1917 

50 

120 

6 

8 

$5 .  75 

4.80 

.81 

.40 

$7.25 

4.80 

1.12 

.40 

$8.00 

4.80 

1.08 

.40 

$10.00 
6.00 
1.56 
1.60 

$0,115 
.040 
.135 
.050 

$0,145 
.040 
.170 
.050 

$0,160 
.040 
.180 
.050 

$0,200 
.050 
.260 
.020 

60 
17 
4 
10 

1.88 
.49 
.28 
.60 

1.92 
.77 
.32 
.60 

1.92 

1.02 

.32 

.60 

4.80 

1.36 

.50 

.83 

.031 
.029 
.070 
.060 

.032 
.045 
.070 
.060 

.032 
.060 
.080 
.060 

.080 
.080 
.125 
.083 

35 
55 
50 

.70 
1.38 

2.25 

1.05 
1.65 
2.50 

1.05 
1.65 
2.50 

2.17 
1.65 

2.50 

.020 
.025 
.045 

.033 
.030 
.050 

.030 
.030 
.050 

.062 
.030 
.050 

8 
10 

2.20 
1.35 

2.55 
1.90 

2.40 
2.00 

3.60 
2.50 

.286 
.135 

.320 
.176 

.300 
.200 

.450 
.2.50 

25 

1.38 

1.53 

1.75 

2.25 

.055 

.060 

.070 

.090 

2 

.73 
2.00 

1.00 
2.30 

1.00 
2.50 

1.00 
3.00 

.20 

.300 

.300 

.300 

$27.09 

$29.66 

$32.99 

$45.32 

Sundries  include  yeast,  corn  starch,  cocoa,  cheese,  syrup,  salt,  etc. 


A  Study  of  this  table  shows  that  the  cost  of  food  for  the  family  diet 
here  presented  has  gone  up,  in  ten  years,  from  $27.00  to  $45.00 — an 
increase  of  upwards  of  67  per  cent.  Staggering  as  these  figures  are 
when  considered  in  connection  with  a  stationary  income,  the  increase 
shown  in  the  last  year  is  by  far  most  serious.  It  is  quite  evident  that 
the  increased  cost  of  nearly  $18.2v3  shown  in  the  table  could  not  have 
been  met  by  many  families  under  discussion.  It  will  be  necessary,  then, 
to  consider  what  adjustments  have  been  made,  and  the  effect  of  these 
adjustments  upon  the  health  of  the  family. 

Much  has  been  accomplished  by  many  people  by  substituting,  one 
food  for  another  as  prices  have  changed.  Some  of  this  has  been  legiti- 
mate and  helpful — some  has  been  unwise  and  detrimental. 

The  extent  to  which  substitution  can  be  practiced  depends  almost 
entirely  upon  the  type  of  the  original  diet,  and  this,  in  turn,  depends 
upon  the  income.  Not  only  is  the  total  supply  of  food  more  generous 
on  the  large  income,  representing  the  maximum  for  health  rather  than 
the  minimum,  but  the  distribution  of  foods  in  the  various  classes  is 
different.  On  a  low  income,  people  can  afford  only  a  small  quantity  of 
the  concentrated  foods,  meat,  eggs,  butter,  and  sugar,  the  largest  pro- 
portion of  their  diet  coming  from  the  starchy  foods  which  are  ''bulky," 
and  furnish  the  cheapest  form  of  nourishment  for  the  money  expended. 
As  the  income  goes  up  and  people  are  free  to  exercise  their  instinctive 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES.  127 

choice,  the  use  of  meat,  eggs,  butter,  sugar,  etc..  increases,  and  the 
starchy  foods  are  decreased  and  replaced  in  part  by  the  other  class  of 
bulky  foods — fruits  and  vegetables,  which  are  more  expensive  for  the 
nourishment  they  corttain,  and  are,  therefore,  not  used  freely  by  poorer 
people.  We  have,  then,  two  very  different  types  of  diet  to  consider. 
Let  us  see  what  happens  to  each  when  prices  rise: 

MEAT. 

When  meat  increases  in  price,  the  well-to-do,  who  have  usually  bought 
a  large  proportion  of  choice  cuts,  can  substitute  inferior  ones  on  some 
(lays,  use  beans  occasionally,  or  reduce  their  meat  quantity  somewhat. 
Where  cheap  meats,  however,  have  been  the  rule,  and  where  beans  have 
always  been  used  for  economy,  there  is  no  recourse  but  to  pay  the  price 
or  go  without.  And  when,  at  the  same  time,  beans  jump  nearly  three - 
hundred  per  cent,  the  detrimental  form  o*"  substitution  begin?,  and 
starchy  foods  and  inadequate  amounts  of  milk  or  cheese  are  substituted 
tor  protein.  One  food  can  not  be  used  with  safety  to  replace  another 
unless  it  is  in  the  same  class,  as  eac*h  of  the  five  classes  have  important 
and  different  uses  in  the  body. 

POTATOES. 

Again,  when  potatoes  increase  in  price,  most  people  used  rice  or 
macaroni  as  a  substitute,  although  potato  is  a  vegetable  and  not  a 
(creal  food.  Here  again  the  well-to-do  suffered  no  harm.  Their  supply 
ot  other  vegetables,  as  well  as  fruit,  was  enough  for  their  physiological 
IK  eds.  But  the  people  on  a  minimum  diet  have  always  depended  upon 
potatoes  very  largely  to  furnish  that  fresh  quality,  and  those  special 
minerals  so  important  to  health.  They  have  never  afforded  much  other 
\  egetable,  nor  do  these  others  furnish  the  amount  of  nourishment  in 
addition  to  the  hygienic  values,  that  potatoes  do.  Therefore,  people  of 
small  income  suffered  in  health.  That  this  form  of  substitution  was 
detrimental  was  shown  in  several  institutions  where  this  form  of  economy 
caused  a  decided  increase  in  the  drug  bills. 

SUGAR. 

There  is  no  cheap  substitute  for  sugar,  and  when  this  food  became 
expensive,  the  quantity  was  reduced  and  nothing  was  substituted. 

As  the  maximum  and  medium  diets  provide  good  amounts  of  all 
forms  of  concentrated  foods,  a  moderate  reduction  in  quantity  of  one 
kind,  or  several,  can  be  made  without  injury  to  health.  But  where  the 
diet  is  already  low,  the  loss  of  nourishment  is  keenly  felt,  and  when  all 
other  forms  of  concentrated  foods  are  also  expensive,  no  adequate  sub- 
stitution can  be  made. 


128  BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 

The  scheme  works  like  this: 

Cereal  food  forms  the  cheapest  and  largest  part  of  the  diet.  The 
price  rises,  and  the  pocket  book  is  strained. 

Meat  and  beans  increase  in  price,  and  people  are  told  to  eat  more 
cereals.  Result:  more  bulky  food,  unbalanced  diet,  less  nour- 
ishment, but  more  expense. 

Butter  increases  in  price.  The  supply  is  cut  down.  People  are 
told  that  other  foods  can  provide  the  nourishment.  Result:  more 
bulk,  less  balance,  and  less  nourishment. 

Sugar  increases  in  price.  Amount  is  cut  down  and  nothing  is 
substituted. 

Milk  increases  in  price.  Amount  is  cut  down  and  nothing  is 
substituted.     Result:  more  loss  of  protein  and  of  fat. 

Cereals  rise  again.  There  is  no  cheaper  food,  and  nothing  can 
be  substituted. 

Where  the  income  is  small  this  process  soon  drains  the  diet  of  those 
foods  which  are  most  esvsential  to  health,  and  forces  it  down  below  the 
danger  line. 

The  accompanying  chart^  will  help  to  illustrate  how  the  high  food 
prices  have  affected  the  diets  of  families  of  varying  incomes. 

After  pointing  out  many  popular  misconceptions  as  to  the  increased 
cost  of  living.  Professor  Jaffa  concludes  with  an  unusually  strong  point: 
"A  great  many  persons,"  he  states,  "tend  to  ignore  a  small  percentage 
of  advance  in  price  of  a  particular  foodstuff  which  as  a  matter  of  fact 
may  be  very  serious  because  of  the  importance  of  the  food  or  the  fre- 
quent use  of  it,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  great  stress  is  often  laid  on  a 
spectacular  rise  in  price  of  a  food  which  may  be  used  only  occasionally 
and,  as  a  consequence,  adds  little  to  the  total  food  cost  of  a  family." 


8.— INCREASED  LIVING  COSTS,  1916-1917. 

An  employer  of  labor  requested  the  University  of  California  Agri- 
cultural Experiment  Station  for  an  estimate  of  the  increased  cost  of 
living  which  he  might  use  as  a  basis  for  adjustment  of  wages  with  his 
employes.  Accordingly,  Professor  M.  E.  Jaffa,  to  another  branch  of 
whose  work  reference  has  just  been  made,  prepared  a  statement 
(which  has  been  printed  as  a  bulletin  of  the  Agricultural  Experiment 
Station)  showing  for  an  average  family  the  increase  in  cost  of  living  from 
May,  1916,  to  May,  1917. 

"It  is  impossible,"  Professor  Jaffa  states,  "to  estimate  the  expenses 
of  any  family  without  knowing  all  the  conditions,  but  there  are  certain 
fixed  items  of  expense,  and  the  percentage  of  increase  in  cost  is  known 
for  others.  These  form  a  good  basis  for  calculation  in  regard  to  the 
effect  of  high  prices  on  the  mode  of  living  of  a  family  of  small  income 
and  will  be  discussed  in  turn.  The  accompanying  table  shows  how  the 
varying  prices  of  foodstuffs  affect  the  total  food  cost." 

(l)  See  pages  4. 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


129 


TABLE  SHOWING  INCREASE  IN  COST  OF  FOOD  FROM 
MAY,  1916,  TO  MAY,  1917. 

MINIMUM  DIET  ON  WHIC-H  HEALTH  CAN  BE  MAINTAINED  FOR  A  WORKINGMAN,  HIS 
WIFE  AND  THREE  CHILDREN  BETWEEN  FOUR  AND  FOURTEEN  YEARS  OF  AGE. 


Food  and  Cost  for  1  Month 


Pounds. 


1916 


1917 


Market  Price  per  Pound. 


May 
1916 


May 
1917 


Meat  and  fish. 

Milk 

Eggs 

Beans 

Flour 

Cereals 

Macaroni 

Rice 

Potatoes 

Vegetables.  .  .  . 

Fruits 

Butter 

Oil  and  fats.  .  . 

Sugar 

Coffee  and  tea . 
Sundries 


First  total 

Extra  for  man . 


Second  total 

Per  person  per  day 


50 
120 

6 

8 
.60 
17 

4 
10 
35 
55 
SO 

8 
10 
25 


$8.00 
4.80 
1.08 
.40 
1.92 
1.02 
.32 
.60 
1.05 
1.65 
2.50 
2.40 
2.00 
1.75 
1.00 
2.50 


$32.99 

2.55 


$35.54 
.237 


$10.00 
6.00 
1.56 
1.60 
4.80 
1.36 
.50 
.83 
2.17 
1.65 
2.50 
3.60 
2.50 
2.25 
1.00 
3.00 


$0.16 
.04 
.18 
.05 
.032 
.06 
.08 
.06 
.03 
.03 
.05 
.30 
.20 
.07 
.30 


$45.32  per 
3.25 


$48.57  per 
.324 


month, 
month. 


$0.20 
.05 
.26 
.20 


.125 

.083 

.062 

.03 

.05 

.45 

.25 

.09 

.30 


"The  first  total  is  adequate  if  the  man  of  the  family  is  engaged  in 
ordinary  labor.  The  second  total  allows  for  1 ,000  calories  extra  food  for 
heavy  work.  If  the  labor  performed  is  that  o^  a  lumberman  or  harvest 
hand,  a  further  increase  of  three  and  a  quarter  dollars  is  necessary. 

"Additional  children  will  add  the  following  amounts  to  the  food  bud- 
get: 


Between  3  and  6  years 
Between  6  and  9  years 
Between  9  and  13  years 
A  girl  over  13  years.  .  .  . 
A  boy  over  1 3  years  .  .  . 


$  5.70  per  month 

6.75  per  month 

7.90  per  month. 

9.00  per  month 

10.50  to  $11.00  per  month. 


"The  item  of  'Sundries'  includes  such  articles  as  corn  starch,  syrup, 
cheese,  salt,  pepper,  mustard,  yeast,  etc. 

"The  diet  here  presented  expresses  the  minimum  on  which  health  and 
efficiency  can  be  maintained.  It  admits  of  many  rearrangements  be- 
tween the  staples  of  the  same  class,  according  to  the  preferences  of  people 
of  different  nationalities;  more  macaroni,  less  rice;  more  vegetables, 
less  fruit;  more  meat  and  less  milk;  but  no  appreciable  variations  could 
be  made  in  the  cost  without  a  corresponding  decrease  in  the  nourish- 
ment.    In  view  of  this  fact  the  increase  in  cost  of  33}/2  per  cent  is  serious. 

"It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  many  families  live  on  much  less  than 
the  diet  given,  which  may  account  for  a  large  proportion  of  stunted 
children,  many  diseases,  early  death  or  inefiiciency. 

"Clothing. — This  item  of  expense  varies  greatly  according  to  the 
ages  of  the  children  and  the  ability  of  the  family  to  live  up  to  any  kind 
of  a  standard.     But  the  increase  averages  SSVs  per  cent.     The  most 


130 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


important  item  under  this  heading  is  shoes,  the  price  of  which  has  in- 
creased in  greater  proportion  than  that  of  other  articles  of  clothing.     It( 
is  impossible  to  reduce  the  cost  of  shoes,  as  can  be  done  with  other 
kinds  of  wearing  apparel,  by  making  up  cheap  material  at  home. 

"Shoes  show  an  increase  in  price  of  50  per  cent  at  present,  but  this  will 
undoubtedly  be  changed  to  100  per  cent  in  the  near  future  when  the  re- 
tailers are  obliged  to  replace  their  stock  at  the  ruling  wholesale  prices. 
The  following  estimate  of  the  shoe  cost  for  the  family  considered  is  con- 
servative and  shows  an  increase  of  50  per  cent  for  the  past  year. 

COST  OF  SHOES  PER  MONTH  FOR  FAMILY  OF  FIVE. 


b> 


Shoes 

1916 

1917 

$3.25 
2.00 

$5.00 
3.00 

Repairs 

$5.25 

$8.00 

"Rent. — The  prices  paid  for  rent  in  cities  by  families  of  small  income 
from  $12  to  $17,  so  that  $15  seems  a  fair  average  for  the  budget  of  the 
family. 

"Since  the  food  cost  is  often  40  or  50  per  cent,  and  the  rent  20  per 
cent  of  small  incomes,  and  since  clothing,  which  often  takes  the  lion's 
share  of  the  balance,  has  increased  33%  per  cent,  it  would  seem  that 
enough  data  are  at  hand  to  warrant  a  preliminary  budgeting  for  a  family 
with  an  assumed  income  of  $75  a  month. 


Rent 

1916 

1917 

$15.00 

1.50 

3.00 

33.00 

5.25 

$15.00 

1.50 

3.00 

45.00 

8.00 

Light 

Fuel 

Food    . . . 

Shoes 

Balance 

$57.75 
17.25 

$72.50 
2.50 

$75.00 

$75.00 

"In  1916   there  was  a  balance  of  $17.25  a  month  to  cover  such  other 
expenses  as 


Insurance 
Organization  dues 
Drugs 
Doctor  bills 
Dentist  bills 


Clothing  (except  shoes) 
School  incidentals 
Household  upkeep 
Church  support 
Car  fares 


Vacation 

Recreation 

Amusements 

Incidentals 

Emergencies 


"In  1917  there  is  $2.50  a  month  left  to  cover  this  long  list  of  items, 
many  of  which  are  unavoidable,  others  urgent,  and  few  of  which  can 
be  omitted. 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES.  131 

"The  higher  prices  have  in  all  probability  been  met  by  a  reduction 
in  the  food  supply  of  the  family.  Rent  must  be  paid,  shoes  and  some 
little  clothing  must  be  bought,  other  incidentals  must  be  met,  but  food, 
which  is  the  largest  item  of  expense  and  is  susceptible  of  manipulation, 
can  generally  be  reduced.  This  should  not  be  done  at  the  expense  of 
the  growth  and  development  of  the  children  and  the  efficiency  and  en- 
durance of  the  adults." 

9.— A  MINIMUM  BUDGETARY  ESTIMATE  FOR 
PACIFIC  COAST  WORKERS. 

Dr.  Jessica  B.  Peixotto,  of  the  faculty  of  the  University  of  California, 
in  October,  1917,  prepared  a  detailed  estimate  of  the  minimum  outlay 
required  for  a  workingman's  family  of  husband,  wife,  and  three  children 
of  school  age,  in  San  Francisco.  This  amount  she  placed  at  $110  a 
month  with  the  statement  that  it  covered  a  minimum  standard  of  whole- 
some living  and  not  mere  subsistence. 

"The  typical  worker  in  San  Francisco,"  she  states  in  her  explanatory 
comment,  "belongs  to  a  class  which  insists  upon  having  food  enough  to 
provide  a  palatable  and  somewhat  varied  dietary;  shelter  and  clothing 
that  conforms  to  the  traditional  idea  of  the  'decencies'  rather  than  the 
'necessities;'  some  income  to  pay  for  schooling  the  children,  for  re- 
laxation in  leisure  hours,  and  something  to  provide  against  the  risks  of 
ill-health,  invalidity  and  death.  Though  the  total  looks  large,  it  is 
actually  little  above  Miss  Byington's  estimates  in  her  Homestead 
Study,  considering  the  rise  in  the  prices  of  food  and  clothing  Inspec- 
tion of  the  individual  items  will  show  that  very  modest  sums  have  been 
assigned  to  each  class  of  wants.  The  housewife  who  keeps  within  the 
amounts  specified  must  still  have  to  be  a  cautious  purchaser,  and  capable 
in  preparing  foodstuffs  and  industrious  in  making  clothing. 

"It  would  seem,  then,  that  the  present  scale  of  wages  is  such  that  a 
family  of  man,  wife,  and  three  children  of  school  age  cannot  be  main- 
tained without  getting  into  debt  or  receiving  aid  on  much  less  than  $110 
a  month.  When  the  normal  breadwinner  is  paid  less  than  this  sum,  one 
of  three  things,  any  one  of  them  harmful  for  the  group  and  for  the  com- 
munity, is  likely  to  happen: 

"1.  Other  members  of  the  family  will  have  to  work  to  eke  out  the 
income,  or 

"2.  There  will  be  less  food  than  is  necessary  for  the  men  to  do  effi- 
cient work.  The  risks  of  ill-health  to  all  members  of  the  group  and  the 
consequent  costs  to  the  group  and  to  society  are  equally  plain.     Or 

"3.  The  group  must  go  without  many  of  the  articles  noted  under 
Sundries  and  House  Operations.  The  probabilities  of  stupidity,  early 
breakdown,  and  dependency  are  evident,  for  the  expression  of  the  more 
subtle  capacities,  the  capacity  for  foresight,  for  generosity,  for  sociabil- 
ity, depends  on  having  some  money  for  'Sundries.'  One  of  the  most 
important  differences  between  social  dependents,  potential  or  actual, 
and  self-supporting  citizens  is  that  social  dependents  are  willing  to  go 
without  the  money  for  'Sundries'  and  capable  men  and  women  recog- 
nize the  imperative  need  for  the  money  that  will  buy  those  things  the 
term  covers." 


132 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


LIVING  EXPENSES  FOR  FAMILY  OF  FIVE 

' 

Items. 

Month. 

Year. 

Total. 

Rent 

$20.00 

11.50 

3.00 

1.50 

.25 

1.00 

.25 

2.50 

1.50 

1.50 

45.00 

288.40 

74.50 

73.90 

140.00 

22.50 

4.00 

1.25 

5.00 

5.00 

1.25 

2.00 

.25 

1.25 

1.00 

.50 

1.00 

$240.00 

138.00 

36.00 

18.00 

3.00 

12.00 

3.00 

30.00 

18.00 

18.00 

540.00 

288.40 

$240.00 
138.00 

Fuel 

Light 

Laundry 

Soap,  matches,  etc 

Furnishings — maintenance  and  additions 

Telephone 

Incidentals — occasional  help,  repair  of  house 

Food 

Clothing 

Man 

Wife 

Children  (3,  all  under  12  years) 

Sundries 

Car  fare 

Medicines -.  ■  •  •  • 

540.00 
288.40 

270.00 
48.00 
15.00 
60.00 
60.00 
15.00 
24.00 

3.00 
15.00 
12.00 

6.00 
12.00 

270.00 

Savings  (for  invalidity) 

Stamps  and  stationery 

Newspapers,  school  supplies,  etc 

Tobacco,  drinks,  etc 

Gifts  (Christmas,  etc.) 

Grand  total 

$1,476.40 

EXPENDITURE  FOR  CLOTHING. 


MAN 

WIFE. 

CHILDREN  (3  under  12) 

Article. 

Price. 

Article. 

Price. 

Article. 

Price. 

1  business   suit    (@$20 

lasts  2  years) 

1  overcoat  (@  $20  lasts 

$10.00 

4.00 

5.00 

3.00 

.75 

.50 

5.00 

2.00 

1.50 

10.00 

3.75 

1.25 
1.00 

1.50 

.75 

5.00 

1  street  dress  ( @  $20  lasts 
2  years) 

$10.00 
3.00 
5.00 
3.00 
.90 
5.00 
5.00 
1.50 

10.00 
1.50 

10.00 
3.75 
3.25 

5.00 
7.00 

9  suits  or  dresses 

$25.00 

15.00 

15.00 

8.00 

5.00 

5.00 
50.00 
17.00 

15  sets  of  underwear 

24  pairs  stockings 

3  to  5  hats      .... 

Waists 

1  extra  trousers 

4  shirts 

Aprons 

Sundries:     Cravats,  rib- 
bons,  mufflers,  vsweat- 
ers,    aprons,    rompers, 
etc 

5  collars     .      ... 

Underwear 

Hats 

3  underwear  ... 

Gloves 

Coat  (@  $20  lasts  2  yrs.) 
Handkerchiefs 

16  to  18  pairs  shoes 

Repairs 

6  pairs  sox 

Repairs  on  shoes 

1     pair    slippers,    gum 

Repairs  on  shoes 

Sundries:  Hairpins,  veils, 
toilet   articles,    repairs 
of  clothing,  frills,  etc.  . 

1  ceremonial  dress  (@  $21 
lasts  3  years) 

Handkerchiefs 

1  hat  (@  $3.00  lasts  2 
years) 

1  cap .       . 

Sundries:             Muffler, 
sweater,  gloves,  purse, 
watch  fob,  umbrella, 
etc 

$73.90 

$140.00 

$65.00 

SUMMARY  TABLE. 


Items. 

Amounts. 

Rent 

$  240.00 
138.00 
540.00 
288.40 
270.00 

Food 

Clothing    .    . 

$1,476.40 

BUDGETARY   STUDIES.  133 

10.— STUDY  MADE  ON  THE  PACIFIC  COAST  BY  THE  LABOR 
ADJUSTMENT  BOARD   OF  THE  UNITED   STATES 
SHIPPING  BOARD  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 
I  EMERGENCY  FLEET  CORPORATION. 

^.  One  of  the  most  recent  budgetary  investigations  was  made  on  the 
f Pacific  Coast  during  October,  1917,  by  the  Shipbuilding  Labor  Ad- 
justment Board  of  the  United  States  Shipping  Board  Emergency  Fleet 
^Corpo ration.  The  investigation  was  made  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
^an  equitable  basis  for  wage  increases  to  workers  in  the  shipyards  of 
|Seattle,  Portland  and  San  Francisco. 

The  period  determined  upon  to  make  a  study  of  the  advance  in  the 
cost  of  living  of  shipyard  employes  on  the  Pacific  coast  was  the  fifteen 
months  beginning  with  June,  1916,  and  ending  with  September,  1917. 
The  pre-war  date  of  June  1,  1916,  was  selected  because  an  agreement  as 
to  wages  and  working  conditions  was  entered  into  by  employers  and 
employes  in  Seattle  on  that  date.  This  agreement  expired  on  July  31, 
1917,  and  its  termination  was  the  occasion  for  the  demand  of  the  em- 
ployes in  that  city  and  elsewhere  for  higher  rates  of  pay. 

With  the  determination  of  the  principle  that  money  wages  should 
follow  the  cost  of  living  so  that  real  wages  and  standards  would  be  un- 
impaired by  the  war,  it  inevitably  followed  that  if  the  cost  of  living  was 
practically  the  same  in  the  different  shipbuilding  localities  that  the 
award  of  the  Board  might  be  extended  to  all  localities  and  a  uniform 
wage  scale  established.  The  evidence  submitted  to  the  Board,  together 
with  the  results  of  its  own  direct  investigations,  soon  convinced  the 
Board  that  there  was  no  variation  between  localities  of  sufficient  im- 
portance to  justify  the  establishment  of  any  differentials.  Food  prices 
in  Seattle,  Portland  and  San  Francisco  were  practically  the  same. 
Those  in  Los  Angeles  were  somewhat  relatively  higher,  but  it  was  con- 
sidered that  this  was  more  than  offset  by  lower  fuel  and  clothing  costs. 

The  extensive  investigation  and  the  tabulation  and  weighting  of  price 
statistics  incident  to  the  investigation  was  made  possible  by  the  active 
cooperation  with  the  Staff  of  the  Board  members  of  the  faculty  of  the 
Department  of  Economics  in  the  University  of  Washington,  and  also 
by  the  cooperation  of  the  faculty  of  the  University  of  California.  Five 
members  of  this  faculty  of  the  University  of  Washington,  one  of  whom 
was  a  recognized  specialist  in  cost  of  living  statistics,  and  another  in 
food  prices  and  marketing,  did  field  work  in  collecting  comparative  retail 
prices  of  foodstuffs,  clothing,  rents,  fuel  and  sundries.  They  visited  a 
large  number  of  dealers  and  made  actual  transcriptions  from  their 
records.  These  price  data  were  checked  afterwards  with  the  exhibits 
presented  at  the  public  hearings  of  the  Board,  by  tradesmen  and  others. 

After  these  price  data  were  collected  from  original  sources,  a  large 
amount  of  work  was  necessary  in  averaging  and  weighting  them  in  order 
to  make  up  a  comparative  budget  for  a  representative  workingman's 
budget.  This  work  was  done  under  the  direction  of  the  economists 
already  referred  to,  with  the  assistance  of  some  of  their  students  in 
statistics.     Prices  from  individual  tradesmen  were  added  and  averaged. 


134 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


Relative  prices  in  October,  1917,  as  compared  with  June,  1916,  were 
then  worked  out.  Weights  were  then  given  to  the  different  items  of 
expense  as  follows: 

1.  Articles  of  food  and  fuel  according  to  the  amounts  shown  as 
expended  in  the  Washington  State  Bureau  of  Labor  budget. 

2.  Different  articles  of  clothing,  according  to  sworn  statements 
of  expenditure  made  by  the  Seattle  street  railway  workers  to  their 
wage  arbitration  board. 

3.  Sundries  according  to  the  practice  of  Chapin  and  other 
students. 


The  proportion  which  expenditures  for  each  group  of  articles  con- 
sumed bore  to  the  total  expenditures  of  a  workingman's  family  was 
then  determined  by  accepting  the  results  of  an  actual  investigation 
made  on  the  Pacific  coast  in  1901,  by  the  United  States  Bureau  of 
Labor.  The  percentage  of  increase  in  each  class  of  commodities  and 
the  weights  given  to  each  group  were  as  follows: 


Classes  of 
expenditures. 

Weight  or 

per  cent  of 

total  budget. 

Increase  in 

weighted  prices, 

June  16- 

Sept.  17. 

Food 

40        J 

18      r, 

14  -,    '-. 

15  ■'  -i 
4 

•'■  / 

46% 

51% 
22% 
40% 

Rent 

Clothing 

Sundries 

Fuel 

!!- 

.^ 

As  a  net  result  of  the  weighting  of  different  commodities,  and  of  the 
several  classes  of  commodities  entering  into  the  consumption  of  work- 
ingmen's  families,  it  was  found  by  the  Board  that  the  general  increase  in 
the  cost  of  living  for  the  period  under  consideration,  June,  1916- 
October,  1917,  amounted  to  31  per  cent,  and  rates  of  pay  were  advanced 
accordingly. 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


135 


11.— BUDGET  OF  THE  ANNUAL  COST  OF  LIVING,  1914-1917, 

COMPILED  BY  THE  STATE  BUREAU  OF  LABOR, 

OLYMPIA,  WASHINGTON. 


Beginning  with  April,  1914,  the  Washington  State  Bureau  of 'Labor 
has  institutejj  during  the  month  of  April  of  each  year  a  special  investi- 
gation of  prices  of  food  and  fuel.  Statistics  are  secured  by  field  agents 
from  about  forty  retail  dealers  in  as  many  towns  and  cities  throughout 
the  State.  As  to  the  relative  importance  of  different  items  of  expendi- 
ture the  Labor  Commission  states  that  ''when  the  budget  was  first 
prepared,  a  great  many  families  were  interviewed  as  to  varieties  of 
articles  and  quantities  thereof  necessary  for  a  family  of  five  during  a 
period  of  one  year,  so  that  in  this  particular  the  average  amounts  used 
are  also  accurate. 

"A  careful  perusal  will  also  convince  that  the  quantities  estimated  are 
conservatively  low.  Flour,  686  pounds  for  a  year,  means  only  about 
six  ounces  per  day  per  person,  for  a  family  of  five;  potatoes,  800  pounds 
means  about  seven  ounces  per  day.  Flesh  meat  and  fish  allowances 
are  very  small." 

The  budgetary  table  is  divided  into  three  sections:  one  showing  the 
cost  for  groceries,  a  second  the  costs  of  flesh  meat  and  fish,  and  a  third, 
fuel  costs.  Comparative  costs  for  two  of  the  largest  industrial  cities 
of  the  State,  Seattle  and  Spokane,  are  shown  in  the  table  below  for  the 
four  years,  1914-1917. 

TABLE  SHOWING  THE  ANNUAL  COST  OF  FOODSTUFFS  AND  FUEL 
FOR  A  FAMILY  OF  FIVE. 

[Survey  made  in  month  of  April  of  each  year  indicated.] 


Seattle. 

Spokarfe. 

Quantity  and  article. 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

260  lbs.  sugar,  granulated 

cane 

$13.00 

$16.90 

$22.36 

$23.92 

$14.04 

$17.68 

$21.06 

$24.96 

14  sacks     flour,     fancy 

patent,  49-lb 

19.08 

25.90 

21.84 

38.74 

19.08 

26.00 

20.30 

41.02 

2  sacks  corn  meal,  10-lb 

.65 

.68 

.68 

.90 

.68 

.74 

.68 

1.00 

75  lbs.  rolled  oats,  bulk. 

3.56 

4.05 

3.75 

3.98 

3.25 

3.60 

3.75 

4.43 

8  cwt.  potatoes,  white. 

9.00 

17.40 

15.12 

34.00 

5.56 

11.71 

12.00 

32.80 

25  lbs.  beans,  navy .... 

1.85 

1.93 

2.38 

4.18 

1.75 

1.95 

2.00 

3.48 

26  lbs.  onions,  dry 

1.69 

.73 

.91 

3.17 

1.56 

.83 

.78 

3.35 

12  lbs.  barley,  pearl 

.84 

1.00 

1.00 

1.12 

1.02 

1.04 

.96 

1.20 

10  lbs.  split  peas 

.70 

.90 

.90 

.97 

.85 

.99 

.95 

1.13 

22  lbs.  rice,  Japan 

1.41 

1.61 

1.87 

1.61 

1.71 

1.89 

1.76 

2.00 

80  lbs.  butter,  creamery 

25.00 

23.52 

30.48 

36.00 

26.80 

26.32 

30.80 

37.04 

25  lbs.  butter,  ranch .  .  . 

6.88 

6.25 

10.00 

10.73 

6.67 

6.60 

7.50 

10.63 

30  lbs.  soda  crackers .  .  . 

3.00 

2.79 

2.85 

3.84 

2.70 

2.97 

3.15 

4.56 

80  doz.  eggs,  fresh 

19.52 

19.76 

22.00 

28.88 

20.00 

19.20 

20.00 

31.04 

4  lbs.  macaroni 

.36 

.35 

.30 

.33 

.39 

.35 

.32 

.30 

20  lbs.  cheese,  American 

5.00 

4.62 

5.00 

5.92 

5.25 

4.66 

5.20 

6.00 

6  lbs. cheese, imp. Svviss 

2.18 

2.28 

3.12 

2.28 

2.20 

2.50 

2.40 

3.90 

12  lbs.  raisins,  seedless. 

1.29 

1.43 

1.57 

1.60 

1.27 

1.42 

.    1.54 

1.90 

20  lbs.  dried  prunes. . .  . 

2.40 

2.58 

2.62 

2.66 

2.35 

2.. 50 

2.16 

2.76 

8  doz.  lemons 

1.92 

1.65 

1.68 

1.94 

2.30 

1.66 

1.70 

2.00 

3  gals,  syrup,  com. .  .  . 

1.80 

1.67 

1.65 

1.97 

2.23 

1.91 

1.92 

2.35 

10  lbs.  comb  honey .... 

1.94 

1.91 

1.83 

1.92 

1.90 

1.75 

1.63 

1.83 

3  gals,  pickles,  sour.  .  . 

1.65 

1.82 

1.95 

1.52 

1.61 

1.60 

2.10 

2.37 

3  gals,  vinegar,  cider. . 

1.39 

1.20 

1.18 

1.15 

1.16 

1.11 

1.17 

1.15 

18  cans  canned    tomat- 

oes. No.  3 

2.70 

2.65 

2.52 

2.93 

2.70 

2.70 

2.86 

3.60 

22  cans     canned     corn. 

No.  2 

2.24 

2.42 

2.75 

3.12 

2.82 

2.40 

2.64 

3.39 

20  cans     canned     peas. 

No.  2 

2.60 

2.64 

2.80 

2.76 

2.80 

2.58 

2.66 

2.60 

136 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


TABLE  SHOWING  THE  ANNUAL  COST  OF  FOODSTUFFS  AND  FUEL 
FOR  A  FAMILY  OF  FIVE— Concluded. 

[Survey  made  in  month  of  April  of  each  year  indicated.] 


Quantity  and  article. 

Seattle. 

Spokane. 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

1914 

1915 

1916 

1917 

9  cans  canned   beans, 
No.  2 

1.24 
.25 

4.05 

1.06 

.59 

1.40 

14.00 

4.50 

3.00 

.67 

4.25 

20.00 

15.00 

33.00 

1.22 
.27 

4.09 

1.08 

.95 

1.37 

14.00 

4.50 

3.00 

.67 

4.25 

20.00 

15.00 

33.00 

1.07 
.29 

4.28 
1.15 
1.06 
1.40 

14.00 

4.50 

3.00 

.67 

4.25 

20.00 

15.00 

33.00 

1.31 
.23 

4.28 
1.04 
1.65 
2.73 

14.00 

4.50 

3.00 

.67 

4.25 

20.00 

15.00 

36.50 

1.26 
.30 

4.05 

1.20 

.59 

1.66 

14.00 

4.50 

3.oe 

.67 

4.25 

20.00 

15.00 

33.00 

1.22 
.27 

4.08 

1.14 

.80 

1.51 

14.00 

4.50 

3.00 

.67 

4.25 

20.00 

15.00 

33.00 

1.18 
.26 

3.83 

1.02 

.85 

.88 

14.00 

4.50 

3.00 

.67 

4.25 

20.00 

15.00 

33.00 

1.42 
.29 

4.05 
1.30 
1.65 
3.40 

14.00 

4.50 

3.00 

.67 

4.25 

20.00 

15.00 

36.50 

3  lbs.  baking  soda .... 

9  lbs.   baking  powder, 

cream  tartar 

12  lbs.  corn  starch 

50  lbs.  carrots 

35  lbs.  cabbage 

40  lbs.  coffee,  medium 
grade. . 

10  lbs.       tea,     medium 
grade . . 

12  pts.  tomato  catsup.  . 
20  lbs.  salt 

85  bars  soap 

Vegetables 

Fruit .... 

Milk,  fresh  and  condensed 

Total  for  groceries .... 
Weekly  average 

1914  Relative  per- 
centages   

$236.66 

4.55 

100. 

$254.04 
4.89 

107. 

$268.78 
5.17 

114. 

$331.30 
6.37 

140. 

$238.13 
4.58 

100. 

$252.10 
4.85 

106. 

$256.43 
4.93 

108. 

$342.82 
6.59 

144. 

74  lbs.  lard 

$11.66 

1.22 

.69 

3.90 

10.90 

4.35 

1.63 

30.00 

12.00 

22.40 

7.76 

8.00 

11.00 

4.40 

7.62 

$137.. S3 
2.64 

100. 

$11.54 

1.18 

.64 

4.51 

11.04 

4.28 

1.47 

31.20 

11.80 

22.32 

7.76 

9.30 

10.86 

5.33 

8.30 

$11.10 

1.05 

.63 

4.32 
11.20 

5.00 

1.42 
31.50 
12.40 
22.56 

7.28 
10.70 
10.86 

5.20 
11.22 

$19.24 

1.02 

.71 

5.11 
14.12 

6.14 

2.50 
35.85 
12.50 
27.96 

8.72 
10.35 
14.76 

8.48 
16.25 

$11.10 

1.19 

.69 

4.80 

10.16 

4.28 

1.53 

24.00 

9.60 

21.84 

7.28 

6.25 

9.72 

4.00 

8.50 

$10.80 

1.15 

.68 

3.91 

9.04 

3.72 

1.40 

29.70 

10.90 

22.56 

9.28 

9.20 

10.20 

4.23 

9.11 

$11.69 

1.00 

.66 

3.89 

9.40 

4.24 

1.64 

32.63 

12.50 

24.00 

7.72 

10.45 

10.62 

4.73 

12.65 

$21.09 

1.09 

.73 

5.78 
13.84 

6.64 

2.25 
25.80 
12.70 
25 .  56 

9.68 
11.10 
15.12 

6.45 
11.76 

5  cans  canned  oysters. 
No.  2. 

5  cans    canned    clams. 
No.  1 .  . 

24  lbs.  canned   salmon. 
No.  1 

40  lbs.  smoked  bacon .  . 

20  lbs.  smoked  ham 

10  lbs.  smoked  shoulder. 

150  lbs.  roast  beef 

100  lbs.  boiling  meat.... 

120  lbs.  steak 

40  lbs.  veal .  .  . 

50  lbs.  mutton 

60  lbs.  pork 

25  lbs.  poultry 

68  lbs.  fresh  fish 

Total   for   meat   and 
fish 

$141.53 
2.72 

103. 

$146.44 
2.81 

106. 

$183.71 
3.53 

134. 

$124.94 
2.40 

100. 

$135.88 
2.61 

109. 

$147.82 
2.84 

118. 

$169.59 
3.26 

136. 

.    Weekly  average 

1914  Relative  per- 
centages   

4K  cords  wood,  fir,  stove 
length 

$25.52 
18.75 

$29.25 
18.90 

$27.45 
18.75 

$27.56 
20.13 

$35.46 
25.50 

$31.95 
24.99 

$33.75 
25.50 

$37.50 
29.00 

4  tons  coal 

Total  for  fuel 

Weekly  average 

1914  Relative  per- 
centages  

$44.27 
.85 

100. 

$48.15 
.92 

109. 

$46.20 
.89 

104. 

$47.69 
.92 

108. 

$60.96 
1.17 

100. 

$56.94 
1.09 

93. 

$59.25 
1.14 

97. 

$66.50 
1.28 

109. 

Totals: 

Groceries 

$236.66 
137.53 

44.27 

$254.04 
141.53 
48.15 

$268.78 
146.44 
46.20 

$331.30 
183.71 
47.69 

$238.13 
124.94 
60.96 

$252.10 
135.88 
56.94 

$256.43 
147.82 
59.25 

$342.82 

169.59 

66.50 

Meat  and  fish 

Fuel 

Grand  total  . . 

5>418.46 
8.04 
100. 

$443 . 72 
8.53 
106. 

$461.42 
8.87 
110. 

$562.70 
10.82 
134. 

$424.03 
8.15 
100. 

$444.92 
8.55 
105. 

$463.50 
8.91 
109. 

$578.91 
11.13 
137. 

Weekly  average 

1914  Relatives 

BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


137 


THE  COMPARATIVE  TOTALS  FOR  THE  PERIOD  1914-1917  BY  GROUPS  OF  ARTICLES.  FOR 
SECTIONS  OF  THE  STATE.  OTHER  THAN  THE  ABOVE  NAMED  CITIES,  ARE  SHOWN 
BELOW: 


Classes  of  Expenditures. 


Groceries 

Total 

Weekly  averages .... 
1914  relative  percentage 

Meat  and  fish: 


Total 

Weekly  average .... 
1914  relative  percentage 


Fuel: 


Total 

Weekly  average 

1914  relative  percentage 


All  commodities: 


Grand  total 

Weekly  average 

1914  relative  percentage 


Exclusive  of  Seattle,  Tacoma  and  Spokane. 


Southwestern. 


1914  1915  1916  1917 


$230 
4.42 
100 


$137 
2.64 
100 


$39 

0.74 

100 


$406 
7.8( 
100 


$247 
4.75 
107 


S134 
2.59 
98 


$43 

0.83 

111 


$425 
8.17 
105 


$247 
4.75 
107 


$138 
2.65 
101 


$40 

0.77 

104 


$425 
8.17 
105 


$331 
6.37 
144 


$175 
3.36 
127 


$28 

0.54 

73 


$534 

10.27 

132 


Northwestern. 


1914  1915  1916  1917 


$231 
4.45 
100 


$134 
2.58 
100 


$51 

0.99 

100 


$417 
8.02 
100 


$243 
4.67 
105 


$130 
2.50 
97 


$45 
0.87 


$418 
8.04 
100 


$254 
4.8* 
110 


$138 
2.64 
102 


$44 

0.86 

87 


$436 
8.38 
105 


$328 
6.31 
142 


$184 
3.54 
137 


$48 

0.93 

94 


$560 

10.78 

134 


Eastern. 


1914  1915  1916  1917 


$232 
4.45 
100 


$138 
2.66 
100 


$59 

1.14 

100 


$429 
8.25 
100 


$247 
4.75 
107 


$138 
2.67 
100 


$56 

l.Oi 

95 


$442 
8.50 
103 


$254 
4.8? 
110 


S143 
2.74 
103 


$57 

1.09 

96 


$454 
8.72 
106 


$333 
6.41 
144 


$175 
3.36 
126 


$61 

1.18 

103 


$569 
10.95 
133 


(Cents  in  annual  expenditures  have  been  omitted.) 


138  BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 

12.— COST  OF  A  MINIMUM  FOOD  SUPPLY  FOR  A 
REPRESENTATIVE  CITY  FAMILY. 

Inspector  Graef,  of  the  Department  of  Health,  New  York  City,  in 
October  19,  1917,  made  a  careful  comparison  of  the  costs  of  the  various 
elements  in  a  standard  dietary  in  the  largest  cities  of  the  United  States. 
He  found  that  the  cheapest  wholesome  dietary  for  a  family  of  five  (man, 
wife,  and  three  children),  cost  $9.67  a  week  in  New  York  City,  $9.25  in 
New  Orleans,  $9.14  in  Boston,  $9.12  in  San  Francisco,  and  $9.89  in 
Chicago.  The  average  for  24  cities  and  towns  in  the  United  States 
was  $9.43. 

The  menus  provided  at  these  figures,  however,  were  not  especially 
tempting  (see  Menu  No.  1  which  follows),  and  a  really  palatable  dietary, 
it  was  estimated,  would  cost  approximately  25  per  cent  more  than  the 
figures  just  quoted,  or  $12.95  a  week  in  New  York  City,  $12.59  in  Chi- 
cago, $12.45  in  Boston,  $11.92  in  New  Orleans,  and  $11.46  in  San  Fran- 
cisco. The  average  for  24  cities  throughout  the  United  States  was 
$12.68  a  week.  On  an  annual  basis  this  would  make  a  minimum  food 
cost  for  a  representative  family  from  $489.36  to  $659.36.  The  latter 
figures  are  more  representative,  as  they  contain  a  considerable  proportion 
of  really  palatable  foods.  The  detailed  report  of  Inspector  Graef  was 
as  follows: 

"With  a  chart  of  retail  prices  throughout  the  United  States  as  basis 
(see  American  Food  Journal,  September,  1917),  the  attached  weekly 
family  food  budget  was  calculated  for  a  New  York  City  family  as  com-^ 
pared  with  a  family  living  in  one  of  several  other  large  cities. 

"The  family — a  typical  one — consists  of  a  man  (at  active  work  simi- 
lar to  that  of  average  city  liver),  a  woman  and  three  children.  Accord- 
ing to  the  Atwater  Standard  they  would  require: 


Man 3500  calories  per  day. 

Woman 2500  calories  per  day. 

Girl  (16  years) 2500  calories  per  day. 

Child  (12  years) 2250  calories  per  day. 

Child  (8  years) 1750  calories  per  day. 

^  (5)... 22500 

2500  average  daily  requirement. 


"From  10  to  15  per  cent  of  these  calories  must  be  protein  or  tissue- 
building  foods. 

"Menus  No.  1,  which  follows,  consists  of  low  cost  foods  of  high  nutri- 
tious value,  selected  not  only  with  a  view  to  the  requirements  of  a  ration, 
balanced  as  far  as  food  values,  but  also  a  selection  to  satisfy  the  palate. 
The  meat  allowed  would,  in  all  probability,  not  be  sufficient  for  the 
man  of  the  family;  where  this  is  true,  meat  has  been  allowed  for  him 
in  shape  of  ham  sandwich,  to  be  taken  at  midday  meal — presumably 
'carried  to  work.' 

"Menus  No.  2  consists  of  foods  chosen  more  essentially  for  attractive- 
ness and  with  a  more  liberal  allowance  of  meat. 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 

MENUS  NO.  1. 


139 


Breakfast 


Oatmeal 
Rye  Bread 
Oleo,  Milk 


Dinner 

MONDAY 

Bean  Loaf 

Steamed  Rice 

Apple  Tapioca 

Milk 


Supper 


Prune  Sauce 

Corn  Dodger 

Cocoa,  Milk 

Tea 


TUESDAY  (WHEATLESS  AND  MEATLESS  DAY) 


Cornmeal 

Rye  Bread,  Milk 

Oleo,  Sugar,  Coffee 


Brazilian  Bean  Soup 

Beet  Tops 

Rye  Bread,  Oleo 

Prunes,  Milk 


Junket 

Caramel  Sauce 

Rye  Bread 

Tea 


Oatmeal  and  Prunes 

Muffins 
Milk,     Oleo,     Coffee 


WEDNESDAY 

Rice  with  Cheese 
Peanut  Butter 
Bread,      Oleo 
Dried  Peaches 


Pea  Soup 

Corn  Bread 

Oleo,     Apple  Sauce 

Milk 


Hominy,     Coffee 

Corn  Bread,  Oleo 

Milk 


THURSDAY 

Macaroni  and  Cheese 

Apple  Sauce 

Gingerbread 

Milk 


Cream  of  Tomato  Soup 

Bread 

Oat  Wafers 

Prune  Sauce 


Cornmeal  Mush 
Syrup  for  adults 
Milk  for  children 

Toast  and  Oleo 
Coffee 


FRIDAY 

Hashed  Cod 
Oatmeal  Wafers 
Milk,    Bananas 


Lima   Beans,   Scalloped 
Graham  Bread 
Peaches 
Milk 


Hominy 


SATURDAY 

Baked  Peas  and  Pork 

Cornbread  and  Rice 

(steamed,  with  milk) 

Apple  Sauce 

Milk 


Cream  Toast,  Cheese 

Stewed  Prunes 

Milk   for   children 


SUNDAY 

Oatmeal  Baked  Corn  and  Beans 

and  Cheese 
Rice  Pudding  with 
Prunes 


Baked  Bananas 

Cornmeal  Muffins 

Oleo,     Milk 


140 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


WEEK'S  MARKET  LIST  FOR  MENUS  NO. 

PRICES  IN  CERTAIN  CITIES. 


Kind  of  food. 

New  York 
City. 

Average  of 

24  cities 

throughout 

U.S. 

Boston. 

Chicago. 

New 
Orleans. 

San 
Francisco. 

Canned  foods 

$0,361 
2.993 
.999 
.195 
.389 
.606 
2.392 
.709 
.937 
.90 

$0,331 
3.032 
.949 
.195 
.422 
.610 
2.011 
.739 
.901 
.90 

$0,340 
2.109 
.930 
.195 
.391 
.600 
2.878 
.769 
.850 
.90 

$0,350 
3.289 
.894 
.195 
.409 
.640 
2.347 
.760 
.917 
.90 

$0,350 
2.985 
.905 
.195 
.393 
.580 
2.134 
.685 
.939 
.90 

$0,300 
2.036 
.853 
.195 
.428 
.700 
2.048 
.674 
.810 
.90 

Cereals 

Dried  fruits 

Fruits 

Sugar  and  syrup 

Fats   .    . 

Dairy  Products 

Vegetables 

Condiments 

$9,672 

$9,430 

$9,148 

$9,891 

$9,256 

$9,129 

WEEK'S  MARKET  LIST  AND  ITS  FOOD  VALUE 
FOR  MENUS  NO.  2. 


Kind  of  foods. 

Total 
Calories. 

Protein 
grams. 

Canned  goods       

122.2 

42272.0 

5716.0 

7560.5 

11845.0 

10355.2 

3990.5 

5643.5 

No  food  value 

6.46 

1391.06 

47.60 

24.48 

Cereals 

Dried  fruits 

Fats 

555.87 
156.05 
730.21 

Vegetables 

Condiments 

Calories  pe 

88049.9 

2961.73 
X              4 

Total  prote 

in  calories 

11846.22 

BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


141 


MENUS  NO.  2. 

Breakfast 

Dinner 

Supper 

MONDAY 

Apple  Sauce 

Rolled  Oats 

Codfish  Balls 

Coffee,  Bread,  Oleo 

Meat  Balls 

Rice,  Boiled  Onions 

White  Sauce 

Bread,  Oleo 

Apple  Betty 

Prune  Sauce 

Gingerbread 

Tea,  Oleo 

TUESDAY  (WHEATLESS  AND  MEATLESS  DAY) 

Hominy                  Scotch  Barley  Soup                  Peaches 
Scrambled  Eggs                Cheese  Fondue                      Oatmeal 
Coffee,  Bread,  Oleo                 Beet  Tops                        Macaroons 
(rye)                       Rye  Bread,  Oleo                       Cocoa 
Rice  Pudding 

WEDNESDAY 

Shredded  Wheat 

Scrambled  Eggs 

Coffee,  Bread,  Oleo 

Planked  Steak 
Onions 
Bread,  Oleo 
Apple  Tapioca 

Apple  Sauce 

Cookies 

Bread 

Tea,     Oleo 

THURSDAY 

f 

Rice,  Prune  Sauce 
Cream  Toast 
Coffee,  Bread,  Oleo 

Stewed  Beans 

Tomato  Sauce 

Cornbread,  Oleo 

Apple  Cake 

Cornstarch 

Sauce 

FRIDAY 

Prune  Loaf 

Milk 
Tea,     Bread 
Oleo 

Rolled  Oats 

Codfish  Balls 

Coffee,  Bread,  Oleo 

Baked  Fish 

Lettuce 

French  Dressing 

Prune  Jelly 

Fried  Hominy 

Syrup 

Peach  Sauce 

Tea,  Bread 

Oleo 

Cornmeal,  Apple  Sauce 

French  Sauce 

Coffee,  Bread,  Oleo 

SATURDAY 

Bean  Loaf 

Tomato  Sauce 

Scalloped  Potatoes 

Peach  Pie 

Bread,  Oleo 

SUNDAY 

Junket 

Oatmeal 

Macaroons 

Tea,  Bread,  Oleo 

Hominy 

Boiled  Eggs 

Coffee,  Bread,  Oleo 

Roast  Leg  Lamb 

Beet  Tops 

Potatoes 

Chocolate  Pudding 

Bread,  Oleo 

Cornmeal 

Souffle 

Bread,  Oleo 

Cocoa 

142 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 
WEEK'S  MARKET  LIST  FOR  MENUS  NO.  2. 


Kind  of  food. 


Canned  goods 

Cereals 

Dried  fruits 

Sugar  and  syrup 

Dairy  products 

Vegetables 

Meats  and  fish 

Condiments 

Total  cost  of  food  budget . 


Average  of 

New  York 

24  cities 

Boston. 

Chicago. 

New 

San 

City. 

throughout 
U.S. 

Orleans. 

Francisco. 

$0,185 

$0,177 

$0,180 

$0,200 

$0,200 

$0,150 

2.943 

3.144 

2.202 

3.153 

3.022 

2.902 

.690 

.650 

.670 

.626 

.625 

.605 

.515 

.570 

.515 

.537 

.540 

.581 

3.340 

3.343 

3.925 

3.165 

2.801 

2.950 

.665 

.673 

.765 

.685 

.660 

.582 

3.229 

2.717 

2.834 

2.834 

2.409 

2.284 

.110 

.110 

.110 

.110 

.110 

.110 

$12,953 

$12,685 

$12,451 

$12,593 

$11,929 

$11,460 

13.— REPORT  ON  THE  INCREASED  COST  OF  LIVING  FOR  AN 
UNSKILLED  LABORER'S  FAMILY  IN  NEW  YORK  CITY. 

(Prepared  by  the  Bureau  of  Personal  Service  of  the  Board  of 

Estimate  and  Apportionment,  New  York  City, 

February,  1917.) 


INTRODUCTORY  STATEMENT. 

In  February,  1915,  the  Bureau  of  Personal  Service,  in  conjunction 
with  the  Bureau  of  Municipal  Research,  made  a  study  of  the  cost  of 
living  for  an  unskilled  laborer's  family.  After  careful  consideration 
of  the  average  size  of  families  among  laborers  in  general,  in  the  United 
States,  in  the  City  of  New  York,  and  among  the  rank  and  file  of  the 
Department  of  Street  Cleaning  in  particular,  it  was  decided  to  select! 
for  purposes  of  study  a  family  consisting  of  five  members,  a  wage-earner,  f 
his  wife,  and  three  children  of  school  age,  who  could  not  be  expected  to 
contribute  anything  to  the  family  support.  It  was  decided  to  fix  the 
sex  and  ages  of  the  children  as  follows: 

Boy 13  years 

Girl 10  years 

Boy 6  years 

The  conclusion  drawn  from  the  report  was  that  with  less  than  $840 
a  year  an  unskilled  laborer's  family  of  five  persons  could  not  maintain  a 
standard  of  living  consistent  with  American  ideas.  As  a  practical  appli- 
cation of  this  conclusion,  the  Bureau  of  Personal  Service  recommended 
no  maximum  rate  for  the  rank  and  file  of  the  Department  of  Street 
Cleaning  and  for  other  comparable  employments  below  $840. 

The  subsequent  changes  in  the  rates  for  sweeper  in  the  Department  of 
Street  Cleaning  will  serve  to  illustrate  the  application  of  standardization 
and  minimum  wage  principles  to  unskilled  laborers  in  the  city  service. 
The  flat  rate  paid  to  sweepers  in  the  Department  of  Street  Cleaning  up 
to  January  1,  1915,  was  $780.  In  Spetember,  1914,  a  range  of  salary 
of  from  $720  to  $816  had  been  recommended  tentatively  by  the  Bureau 
of  Personal  Service.     Increases  to  the  rate  of  $792  were  actually  in- 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES.  143 

corporated  in  the  annual  tax  budget  for  1915.  As  a  result  of  the  mini- 
mum wage  study,  the  range  of  salary  finally  recommended  for  sweepers 
was  from  $720  to  $840  with  increases  of  $24  after  not  less  than  one  year 
of  service.  This  salary  range  was  based  upon  the  assumption  that  a 
sweeper  entered  the  department  with  little  or  no  family  responsibility 
and  at  a  slightly  lower  salary  than  the  average  pay  for  similar  labor  in 
private  employment.  Thereafter  his  salary  would  be  increased  after 
each  year  or  two  years  of  satisfactory  service  up  to  the  point  at  which  his 
family  obligations  were  greatest.  At  this  point  his  salary  rate  should 
approximate  the  minimum  cost  of  decent  living.  In  order  to  apply  this 
range  of  salary  successfully  from  the  point  of  view  of  the  family  obliga- 
tions of  the  laborer  and  the  pension  obligations  of  the  city,  it  would 
have  been  necessary  to  limit  further  the  age  at  which  laborers  would 
enter  the  city  service.  This  would  be  impossible  under  present  labor 
conditions.  It  will  probably  be  impossible  in  the  future  to  have  the 
entering  age  so  low  that  laborers  coming  into  the  service  will  be  without 
family  responsibilities.  It  must  therefore  be  admitted  that  the  original 
principle  of  fixing  the  minimum  wage  as  the  maximum  of  the  scale  was 
too  conservative. 

At  the  time  the  original  study  was  made,  market  conditions  were 
normal  and  satisfactory  unskilled  labor  service  could  be  purchased  at 
rates  below  $2  per  day.  Before  January  1,  1917,  market  conditions  had 
changed  to  such  an  extent  that  not  only  was  the  Department  of  Street 
Cleaning  unable  to  obtain  sweepers  at  the  minimum  rate  of  $720,  but 
large  numbers  of  sweepers  and  other  employes  of  corresponding  rank  at 
higher  rates  were  leaving  the  service  to  accept  employment  in  private 
concerns  which  had  been  forced  to  pay  much  higher  daily  rates  on  account 
of  conditions  arising  from  the  war.  In  order  that  the  city  also  might 
meet  these  market  conditions,  it  was  necessary  in  February,  1917,  to 
raise  the  minimum  rate  for  sweepers  to  $792.  Similar  increases  in  mini- 
mum rates  were  made  in  the  case  of  other  employes.  Within  less  than  a 
month  after  these  increases  were  made,  the  following  statement  was 
made  in  a  letter  from  the  Street  Cleaning  Commissioner  to  the  Director 
of  the  Bureau  of  Personal  Service: 

"Yesterday  a  delegation  of  sweepers  waited  upon  me  and  stated  that 
the  cost  of  food  and  necessities  of  life  had  so  increased  of  late  that  they 
were  unable  to  live  decently  on  present  salaries.  I  was  much  impressed 
by  the  statements  made  by  the  men,  and  believe  that  a  survey  of  their 
living  conditions  should  be  made  before  the  next  revision  of  salary 
schedules  is  made  at  the  end  of  this  month.  I  would  be  glad  to  have 
your  views  as  to  the  possibility  of  making  such  a  survey  within  the  next 
ten  days." 

A  survey  such  as  that  requested  by  the  Street  Cleaning  Commissioner 
had  already  been  made  in  connection  with  the  publication  of  a  new  edi- 
tion of  the  Standard  Specifications  for  Personal  Service  for  the  purpose 
of  revising  the  original  study  of  the  cost  of  living  in  accordance  with  the 
abnormal  rise  in  the  price  of  necessities.  The  conclusions  drawn  from 
this  survey  are  embodied  in  the  following  report.  They  indicate  that 
the  cost  of  living  for  the  laborer's  family  of  five  persons,  selected  in  the 
original  report,  has  risen  from  $840  to  approximately  $980;  that  is,  about 
16%  per  cent.  It  is  not,  of  course,  to  be  assumed  that  the  present  con- 
ditions are  likely   to  continue  indefinitely.     The  various  government 


144 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


agencies  and  committees  appointed  to  report  on  or  cope  with  the  high 
cost  of  living  will  probably  bring  about  considerable  reduction  in  prices 
and  will  relieve  the  scarcity  of  certain  products.  It  is,  however,  reason- 
able to  assume  that  $840  cannot  be  recommended  as  a  maximum  rate 
for  unskilled  laborers  in  the  revised  edition  of  the  Standard  Specifica- 
tions if  it  is  intended  that  the  City  of  New  York  shall  meet  conditions 
in  representative  private  employment  or  shall  itself  be  a  model  employer. 
The  maximum  rate  recommended  for  sweepers  has,  therefore,  been 
raised  from  $840  to  $888,  and  similar  increases  in  the  maximum  rates 
have  been  recommended  in  a  number  of  other  groups  of  employes.  In 
addition,  in  order  to  preserve  proper  distinction  between  unskilled 
and  slightly  skilled  employes,  it  has  been  found  necessary  to  recommend 
higher  rates  for  a  number  of  slightly  skilled  employes.  These  proposed 
changes  are  thought  to  be  very  conservative.  They  do  not  meet  the 
present  abnormal  conditions  as  far  as  the  minimum  rates  are  concerned. 

In  applying  the  new  rates,  it  may  therefore  be  desirable  to  waive 
temporarily  one  or  more  of  the  lowest  rates;  for  example,  to  fix  tem- 
porarily the  minimum  for  laborers,  sweepers,  deckhands  and  other 
employes  at  $816  or  $840  and  to  make  similar  temporary  adjustments 
in  the  case  of  other  unskilled  and  slightly  skilled  employes.  In  other 
words,  while  the  standard  minimum  rates  should  remain  as  published 
in  the  new  edition  of  the  Standard  Specifications,  a  higher  minimum 
might  be  adopted  temporarily  to  meet  present  conditions.  The  stand- 
ard minimum  rates  could  be  restored  as  soon  as  living  conditions  become 
more  nearly  normal. 

The  following  is  a  partial  list  of  the  changes  in  the  salaries  of  low  grade 
employes  proposed  in  the  new  edition  of  the  Standard  Specifications: 


Title. 

Present  Range 

(Amount  of  Increase 

in  Brackets). 

Proposed  Range 

(Amount  of  Increase 

in  Brackets), 

Boardman           .... 

$720-$840     ($24) 
816-  960     (  36) 
780-  960     (  36) 

2.50 
672-  840     (  24) 
720-  864     (  24) 
720-  840     (  24) 

768-  888     (  24) 

2..S0-2.80     (.10) 

780-  960     (  36) 

744-  864     (  24) 
2.40-2.70     (.10) 

720-  840     (  24) 
2.50 

864-  936     (  24) 
2.75-3.00 

744-  864     (  24) 

600 

816-  888     (  24) 
888-  960     (  36) 
720-  840     (  24) 

2.30-2.70     (.10) 
720-  840     (  24) 

2.30-2.70     (.10) 
720-  840      (  24) 

2.30-2.70     (.10) 
720-  840     (  24) 

2.30-2.70     (.10) 
720-  840     (  24) 
744-  864     (  24) 
720-  840     (  24) 

$792-$888     ($24) 
876-  984     (  36) 
840-  984     (  36) 

2.70 
768-  864     (  24) 
792-  888     (  24) 
792-  888     (  24) 
313  da. 
900-1020     (  24) 
365  da. 
840-  936     (  24) 

2.70-3.00     (.10) 
840-  984     (  36) 

2.80-3.00     (.10) 
816-  912     (  24) 

2.60-2.90     (.10) 
792-  888     (  24) 

2.50-2.80     (.10) 
888-  936     (  24) 

2.80-3.00     (.10) 
816-  912     (  24) 
660 

720  on  repair  work 
864-  960     (  24) 
960-  996     (  36) 

2.80-3.00     (.10) 

2.50-2.80     (.10) 

2.80-3.00     (.10) 
792-  888     (  24) 

2.50-2.80     (.10) 
792-  888     (  24) 
816-  912     (  24) 
792-  888     (  24) 

Bridgetender 

Caretaker — Men 

Cleaner — Men 

Cleaner  (Windows) 

Deckhand 

Elevator  Operator  . . 

HostW 

Laborer — Unskilled 

Laborer— Skilled 

Laborer — Watchman 

Motor  Truck  Driver 

Park  Laborer— Unskilled 

Park  Laborer— Skilled 

Stableman .    . 

Ticket  Chopper 

Watchman 

BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


145 


CLASSIFICATION  OF  OBJECTS  OF  EXPENDITURE. 

The  following  table  shows  a  comparison  of  the  results  of  studies  made 
in  February,  1915,  and  February,  1917,  of  the  cost  of  living  for  an  un- 
skilled laborer's  family  in  New  York  City.  The  increase  in  cost  in 
those  two  years  seems  to  be  approximately  16  per  cent. 

Objects  of  expenditure  have  been  classified  in  eight  standard  groups, 
for  each  of  which  the  total  annual  expense  in  the  years  1915  and  1917 
is  as  follows: 


I. — Housing 

II.— Car  fare 

III.— Food 

IV.— Clothing 

v.— Fuel  and  Light 

VI.— Health 

VII. — Insurance 

VIII.— Sundries 

Total  per  year 

Sundries  classified — 

Papers  and  other  reading  matter 

Recreation 

Furniture,  utensils,  fixtures,  moving  expenses,  etc 

Church  dues 

Incidentals — Soap,  washing  material,  stamps,  etc. 

Total 


1915 

1917 

$168.00 
30.30 

383.812 
104.20 
42.75 
20.00 
22.88 
73.00 

$168.00 
30.30 
492.388 
127.10 
46.75   . 
20.00 
22.88 
73.00 

$844,942 

$980,418 

$  5.00 

40.00 

18.00 

5.00 

5.00 

$  73.00 

I. — Housing : 

A  family  consisting  of  five  people  needs  at  least  four  rooms  to  meet 
the  demands  of  decency.  Three  rooms  for  more  than  four  persons  causes 
over-crowding.  Four  rooms,  on  the  other  hand,  for  five  persons  is 
slightly  above  the  accepted  standard  of  "one  and  one-half  persons  to 
a  room." 

Rent  in  tenement  districts  at  the  present  time,  as  in  1915,  according 
to  the  statement  of  reliable  real  estate  men,  averages  $4.00  per  room 
per  month.  This  statement  is  verified  by  the  family  budgets  exhibited 
in  Appendix  B  and  by  the  data  on  present  rentals  in  Appendix  A. 

The  housing  minimum  arrived  at  in  our  standard  classification  repre- 
sents therefore  the  rent  expenditure  necessary  for  an  average  of  3^ 
rooms  at  the  $4.00  monthly  rate,  or  for  four  rooms  at  a  $3.50  monthly 
rate.  The  resulting  annual  expenditure  for  housing,  $168,  is  20  per 
cent  of  the  total  1915  expenditure,  which  is  generally  considered  a  proper 
ratio  of  housing  to  total  income. 

It  is  stated  by  representatives  of  Horace  S.  Ely  &  Co.,  real  estate 
agents,  that  the  decrease  in  immigration  and  increase  in  emigration, 
due  to  the  war,  have  caused  many  vacancies  in  tenement  houses  in  the 
upper  and  lower  east  side,  with  the  result  that  both  minimum  and  maxi- 
mum rental  values  in  certain  quarters  have  been  reduced  about  $1. 
The  present  generally  prevailing  tendency  to  higher  prices  largely  coun- 
teracts this  reduction,  however,  so  that  it  may  be  said  that  in  general 
rents  are  the  same  in  1917  as  in  1915. 

II.— Car  Fare: 

The  minimum  estimate  for  care  fare  remains  unchanged  at  $30.30, 
which  represents  only  10c  per  day  for  303  working  days. 


146 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


III.— Food: 

In  arriving  at  a  proper  minimum  for  food  expenditure,  a  number  of 
factors  must  be  taken  into  consideration.  A  laborer,  in  order  to  per- 
form efficient  work,  requires  nourishing  and  wholesome  food  in  con- 
siderable quantities.  The  age  of  children  is  an  all  important  factor  in 
determining  their  food  consumption.  The  prices  of  foodstuffs  are  con- 
stantly changing. 

The  schedule  adopted  by  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture 
(Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  142)  apportions  the  food  requirements  of  women 
and  children  of  various  ages  on  the  basis  of  fractions  of  the  integer  re- 
quired to  support  a  mature  working  man.     This  schedule  is  as  follows: 


Man                                            

1 

8 

Boy — 16  years        

9 

8 

10  to  12  years 

6 

8 

14  to  15  years 

7 

10  to  14  years 

6 

Child — 6  to  9  years 

5 

2  to  5  years 

4 

Under  2  years 

3 

According  to  the  above  table  the  family  which  we  have  assumed,], 
consisting  of  a  man,  wife,  a  boy  of  13  years,  a  girl  of  10  years,  and  a  boy* 
of  6  years,  would  consume  a  quantity  of  food  sufficient  for  3.7  men. 

In  1907,  Federal  government  dietitians  agreed  that  families  spending 
at  the  rate  of  22c  per  man  per  day  were  not  receiving  food  enough  to 
maintain  physical  efficiency.*  Moreover,  this  minimum  was  predicated 
upon  extraordinary  intelligence,  in  that  it  assumed  that  the  mother 
possessed  a  scientific  knowledge  of  household  economy,  food  values  and 
market  conditions.  The  food  prices  in  1913,  as  compared  with  1907, 
had  risen  16  per  cent,  according  to  a  report  of  the  United  States  Depart- 
ment of  Labor.  (Retail  Prices  and  Cost  of  Living,  Series  8.)  Taking 
the  22c  per  man  per  day  minimum  established  in  1907  and  allowing  a  16 
per  cent  increase,  25>^c  would  be  the  minimum  measured  by  1913  stand- 
ards. Adding  to  this  a  l>^c  marginal  limit,  to  provide  for  discrepancies 
and  for  an  increase  in  prices  in  1914,  27c  per  man  per  day  was  arrived 
at  as  a  fair  minimum  for  1915.  This  was  the  minimum  established  at 
that  time  by  the  Association  for  Improving  the  Condition  of  the  Poor 
as  the  basis  of  their  relief  work  and  was  used  as  a  basis  for  calculation 
in  the  1915  Report  of  this  Bureau.  At  the  present  time  the  Associa- 
tion for  Improving  the  Condition  of  the  Poor  is  using  30c  as  its  -mini- 
mum because  of  the  increased  cost  of  food.  Upon  these  two  bases  the 
cost  of  food  per  day  for  our  family  in  New  York  City  would  be: 


Husband 

Wife 

Boy,  13  years. 
Girl,  10  years. 
Child,  6  years. 


Total  per  day $ .  999 

Total  per  week $7.00 


1915 
Per  day. 


$  .27 
.216 
.216 
.162 
.135 


1917 
Per  day. 


$   .30 

.24 
.24 
.18 
.15 

$1.11 

$7.77 


*  Report  on  Nutrition  Investigation.     Special  Committee  on  Standards  of  Living. 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES.  147 

This  conclusion  is  based  upon  vscientific  facts  regarding  the  number 
of  calories  of  heat  and  grams  of  protein  necessary  for  the  human  body. 
It  is  only  one  and  by  no  means  the  most  trustworthy  of  several  logical 
methods  of  reaching  a  minimum  estimate. 

Another  and  more  trustworthy  method  of  approach  to  such  a  con- 
clusion is  to  price  a  list  of  foodstuffs  necessary  for  an  American  family 
of  five.  Following  this  method,  an  itemized  food  budget  was  taken  from 
Dr.  Chapin's  book  on  ** Standard  of  Living  in  New  York  City,"  and  was 
submitted  for  criticism  to  dietitians  and  social  service  workers,  with  the 
result  that  the  list  was  slightly  modified.  In  order  to  find  the  prevailing 
cost  of  the  modified  list  in  New  York  City,  foodstuffs  were  priced  in  the 
places  where  unskilled  laborers  would  naturally  buy;  that  is,  municipal 
markets,  push-carts,  co-operative  stores  and  regular  neighborhood  gro- 
cery and  butcher  establishments.  (For  this  food  budget  used  in  field 
work,  with  prices  for  1915  and  1917,  see  Appendix  A.)  This  method  of 
approach  led  to  the  conclusion  that  $7,381  per  week  or  $383,812  per  year 
would  be  the  minimum  requirement  for  1915. 

In  securing  facts  as  to  the  increased  cost  of  food  for  1917,  this  same  list 
of  foodstuffs  was  again  priced  at  markets,  push-carts  and  stores  of  the 
same  type  as  before  and  the  average  amount  of  increase  ascertained. 
From  this  investigation  it  was  learned  that  the  cost  of  exactly  the  same 
foods  is  at  the  present  time  $9,469  per  week  or  $492,388  per  year,  show- 
ing an  increase  of  $2,088  per  week  or  $108,576  per  year  over  the  cost  for 
1915.  It  may  be  noted  that  it  is  possible  to  sustain  life  on  a  less  varied 
and  less  expensive  diet  than  that  considered  in  this  report,  but,  as  stated 
before,  this  study  is  based  upon  standards  of  living  consistent  with 
American  ideas. 

IV.— Clothing: 

The  clothing  estiriiate  was  made  in  the  same  way  as  that  for  food.  A 
list  of  the  clothing  needed  by  a  family  of  five  was  taken  from  Dr.  Cha- 
pin's report  and  considerably  modified.  The  prices  of  the  various  articles 
in  this  clothing  budget  were  obtained  from  the  type  of  stores  at  which 
workingmen  would  naturally  buy.  (For  copy  of  this  list  of  clothing, 
with  prices  for   1915  and   1917,  see  Appendix  A.) 

It  is  difficult  to  make  exact  statements  about  the  expenditure  for  such 
an  item  as  clothing,  in  which  there  are  so  many  personal  considerations. 
Basing  our  estimate,  however,  upon  average  common-sense  requirements 
and  upon  prices  prevailing  in  1915  for  these  requirements,  we  concluded 
that  $104.20  for  our  assumed  family  of  five  was  the  exact  clothing  cost 
for  that  year.  Prices  for  this  clothing  list  w^ere  again  obtained  in  Febru- 
ary, 1917,  in  the  same  way  in  which  food  prices  were  checked,  and  were 
found  to  total  $127.10  as  against  $104.20  in  1915: 

v.— Fuel  and  Light: 

The  fuel  and  light  estimate  of  $42  for  1915  was  based  on  facts  sub- 
mitted by  the  Consolidated  Gas  Company  and  by  public  and  private  re- 
lief organizations,  and  on  past  studies,  taking  into  consideration,  how- 
ever, the  prevailing  prices  of  coal,  wood  and  gas.  (For  supplementary 
data  see  Appendix  A.)  All  of  the  estimates  submitted  were  in  the 
neighborhood  of  $40  to  $45. 

Our  conclusion  for  1915  was  a  fair  mean  and  allowed  for  the  following 
approximate  consumption  of  fuel  and  gas: 


148  BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 

Fuel 

During  the  winter  months,  3  bags  of  coal  per  week  at  25c  a  bag> 
and  6  bundles  of  wood  per  week  at  2c  per  bundle,  resulting  in  a 
weekly  expenditure  of  87c.  During  the  fall  months,  2  bags  of  coal 
per  week  at  25c  per  bag,  and  4  bundles  of  wood  per  week  at  2c  a 
bundle,  resulting  in  a  weekly  expenditure  of  58c.  Assuming  18 
weeks  for  the  winter  and  13  weeks  for  the  fall,  the  total  expenditure 
for  fuel  amounted  to  $23.20  for  1915. 

Light  and  Gas  used  for  Fuel 

Light,  assuming  the  use  of  gas  during  the  18  weeks  of  the  winter, 
at  25c  per  week,  13  weeks  of  the  fall  at  35c  per  week,  and  21  weeks 
of  the  summer  at  50c  per  week,  amounts  to  a  total  expenditure  of 
$19.55.  During  the  fall  and  summer  gas  is  used  for  cooking.  Thus 
the  consumption  is  increased. 

The  estimate  for  1917  is  changed  only  by  an  increase  in  the  cost  of  coal  ^ 
from  25c  to  30c  a  bag.     This  rise  causes  an  increase  in  the  total  yearly 
expenditure  for  fuel  to  $27.20  as  against  $23.20  in  1915. 


VI.— Health: 


The  problem  of  arriving  at  a  minimum  for  health  expenditure  is  neces 
sarily  involved.  Several  studies  have  been  made  upon  this  subject 
which  for  our  purposes  are  quite  satisfactory.  The  Metropolitan  Life 
Insurance  Company,  in  connection  with  its  welfare  work,  has  considered 
health  expenditure  in  more  detail  than  has  any  other  organization.  Dr. 
Lewis  I.  Dublin,  their  statistician,  who  has  studied  this  problem  from  an 
insurance  standpoint,  concludes  that  a  workingman  will  average  five 
weeks'  illness  once  in  every  three  years,  or  that  one  out  of  every  three 
workingmen  will  be  sick  in  each  year.  A  prominent  benevolent  society, 
organized  in  St.  Louis  for  the  special  purpose  of  establishing  health  in- 
surance, has  arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  an  adult  requires  50  cents 
and  a  child  25  cents  a  month  for  health  expenditure.  This  totals  $21 
a  year  for  our  family  of  five  persons.  Prof.  Irving  Fisher,  of  Yale,  who 
has  devoted  considerable  study  to  health  insurance,  states  that  the 
average  expenditure  resulting  from  illness  and  death  in  workingmen's 
budgets  is  $27  per  annum.  This  amount  is  agreed  to  by  the  United 
States  Commissioner  of  Labor  (1912)  and  by  Dr.  Dublin,  although  Dr. 
Dublin  supplements  this  by  stating  that  even  at  this  rate  the  family 
will  to  some  extent  be  dependent  upon  charity. 

Our  conclusion  of  $20  is  based  upon  the  fact  that  there  are  more  facil- 
ities for  conserving  the  health  of  a  family  in  New  York  City  than  else- 
where and  that  $27  under  these  conditions  would  be  too  high.  We 
realize,  however,  that  it  is  impossible  to  establish  beyond  criticism  a 
definite  amount  for  health  expenditure.  This  amount,  first  established 
in   1915,  remains  unchanged  for   1917. 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES.  149 

VII. — Insurance : 

Insurance  is  found  to  be  an  almost  universal  item  in  budgets  of  work- 
ingmen's  families.  The  expenditure  of  $22.88  in  our  minimum  esti- 
mate is  based  upon  the  assumption  that  the  head  of  the  family  should 
l)e  insured  for  $500,  the  wife  for  $100,  and  that  the  children  should  each 
have  the  smallest  amount  of  insurance  which  can  be  obtained.  This  is 
merely  industrial  insurance  and  does  not  provide  for  sickness,  accident, 
or  property  loss.  ********** 

In  industrial  insurance  weekly  payments  are  the  rule.  For  a  $500 
policy  the  premium  is  25c  a  week,  for  a  $100  policy  10c  a  week,  while  a 
minimum  of  3c  is  required  for  the  policies  of  children — a  total  weekly 
payment  of  44c,  or  a  yearly  expenditure  of  $22.88  for  the  family.  Our 
estimate  is  based  on  the  rates  offered  for  those  policies  considered  most 
satisfactory  by  the  three  insurance  companies  which  specialize  in  in- 
dustrial insurance.     This  amount  remains  the  same  in  1917  as  in  1915. 

VIII.— Sundries: 

The  item  "Sundries"  includes  recreation,  reading,  general  household 
expense,  church  contributions,  etc.  It  is  unnecessary  to  defend  the  fact 
that  a  family  in  order  to  maintain  a  normally  happy  and  self-respecting 
existence  must  have  proper  amusements.  For  recreation,  therefore,  we 
have  allowed  occasional  trips  to  the  beach,  incidental  car  fare,  moving 
picture  shows,  Christmas  and  birthday  presents  and  miscellaneous 
amusements.  For  furniture,  utensils,  fixtures,  moving  expenses  and 
general  maintenance,  $18  is  allowed,  although  this  amount  could  be 
legitimately  increased.  $5  is  allowed  for  church  contributions.  Inci- 
dentals, including  soap,  washing  material,  stamps,  umbrellas  and  other 
miscellaneous  items,  are  totaled  at  $5.  For  reading  a  one-cent  daily 
paper  is  allowed,  with  a  Sunday  paper  almost  every  week.  The  result- 
ing $73  expenditure  for  Sundries  is  a  fair  minimum.  This  amount,  fixed 
originally  in  1915,  is  allowed  to  remain  unchanged  for  1917,  although 
some   slight   increase   could    legitimately   be   made. 


150 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


APPENDIX  A. 

Field  Reports — Supporting  Data  on  Food,  Clothing,  Rent,  Fuel  and 

Light. 

The  prices  of  the  above  commodities  were  obtained  during  the  months 
of   January   and    February,    1915,    and    February,    1917: 

MINIMUM  FOOD  BUDGET  FOR  ONE  WEEK  FOR  FAMILY  OF  FIVE,  WITH  CURRENT 

PRICES. 


Meat  and  Fish — 

5  lbs.  beef,  at  16clb 

K  lb.  beef  for  stew,  at  12c  lb 

2  lbs.  pork,  at  14c  lb.,  28c  or 

2  lbs.  ham,  at  18c  lb.,  36c av 

1  lb.  chicken  (4  lbs.  month),  at  18c  lb 

lyi  lbs.  fresh  fish,  at  12c  lb 

Eggs  and  Dairy  Products — 

1  lb.  butter,  at  33c  lb 

yi  lb.  cheese,  at  20c  lb 

2  doz.  eggs,  at  32c  doz 

16  qts.  milk,  at  6c  qt 

Cereals — 

2 1  loaves  of  bread ,  at  5c 

1  doz.  rolls,  at  10c  do/ 

2  lbs.  cake,  at  10c  lb 

Rice  (1  lb.  per  month),  at  7c  lb 

Flour  (3K  lbs.  twice  a  month),  at  4Kc  lb 

Oatmeal  (2K  lbs.) ,  at  4c  lb 

Vegetables,  Fruits,  Etc.— 

6  qts.  potatoes,  at  8c  qt 

Turnips  or  carrots 

2  lbs.  onions,  at  3c  lb 

Fresh  vegetables 

Dried  beans  and  peas  (K  lb.) 

Can  of  tomatoes,  at  10c  can 

Can  of  corn  (monthly),  at  10c  can 

Fresh  fruit 

Dried  prunes  (1  lb.  per  month),  at  14c  lb 

Sugar,  Tea,  CofTee,  Etc. — 

1  lb.  coffee,  at  20c  lb 

\H  lbs.  sugar,  at  Syic  lb 

Syrup 

Pickles,  spices,  etc 

K  lb.  tea,  at  40c  lb 


$0.80 
.06 

.32 
.18 
.18 

$1.54 

.33 
.10 
.64 
.96 

$2.03 

1.05 
.10 
.20 
.017 
.078 
.10 

$1,545 

.48 

.05 

.06 

.75 

.05 

.10 

.025 

.25 

.035 

$1.80 

.20 

.096 

.02 

.05 

.10 

$0,466 


1917 

at  20c, 

$1.00 

at  16c, 

.08 

at  22c,  or 

at  22c, 

.44 

at  23c, 

.23 

at  15c, 

.225 

$1,975 

at  41c, 

.41 

at  27c, 

.135 

at  42c, 

.84 

at  8c, 

1.28 

$2,665 

at  6c, 

1.26 

at  12c, 

.12 

at  20c, 

.40 

at  8c, 

.02 

at  7c. 

.122 

at  5c, 

.125 

$2,047 

at  lOc* 

.60 

.06t 

at  8c, 

.16 

.937t 

at  14c, 

.07 

at  12c. 

.12 

at  12c, 

.03 

.25 

at  14c, 

.035 

$2,262 

at  20c, 

.20 

at  8c, 

.14 

.02 

.06 

at  40c. 

.10 

$0.52 

*At  5c  per  lb.  f  Average  20  per  cent  increase 

JAverage  25  per  cent  increase  in  cost. 


in  cost. 


Food  Summary. 


Meat  and  fish 

Eggs  and  dairy  products , 

Cereals 

Vegetables,  fruits,  etc.  . . 
Sugar,  tea.  coffee,  etc 

Total  per  week 

Annual  total 


1915 


$1 

.54 

2 

.03 

1 

.545 

1 

.80 

.466 

$7 

.381 

583 

.812 

1917 


$1,975 

2.665 

2.047 

2.262 

.52 

$9,469 

$492,388 

BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


151 


MINIMUM  CLOTHING  BUDGET  FOR  ONE  YEAR  FOR  FAMILY  OF  FIVE, 
WITH  CURRENT  PRICES. 


Man 

1915 

1917 

Boy  (6  Years) 

1915 

1917 

2  Caps 

$0.75 

8.00 

5.00 

1.50 

1.50 

.50 

.30 

1.50 

.20 

.60 

6.00 

1.50 

1.50 

1.50 

.25 

.50 

.20 

.50 

$31.80 

$1.00 

10.00 

6.00 

2.00 

1.80 

.60 

.45 

2.00 

.20 

.60 

7.50 

1.50 

2.00 

2.00 

.25 

.50 

.20 

.50 

$39.10 

1  Cap 

$0.25 

1.00 

.50 

1.00 

.60 

.30 

.30 

.60 

3.00 

1.50 

.50 

.10 

.30 

$0.25 

1.75 

.50 

1.50 

.60 

.40 

.30 

.60 

3.75 

1.50 

.50 

.15 

.30 

1  Suit 

1  Winter  suit 

1  Overcoat  (last  3  years) .... 
1  Pair  pants 

1  Summer  suit          

1  Overcoat  (last  2  years) .... 
6  Pairs  stockings 

3  Working  shirts 

1  White  shirt                    

3  Waists  (material) 

Summer  underwear  (3  suits) 
Winter  underwear  (3  suits) 

3  Pairs  shoes 

3  Collars 

2  Pairs  overalls    

2  Ties 

6  Pairs  hose 

Repair  of  shoes  (3  times).. . 
Mittens 

3  Pairs  shoes 

Repair  of  shoes  (twice) .... 
Summer  underwear  (2  suits) 
Winter  underwear  (2  suits) 

Cloth  for  night  gown 

Gloves  and  mittens 

4  Handkerchiefs 

3  Handkerchiefs 

Total 

$9.95 

$12.10 

Girl  (10  Years) 

2  Hats:  winter  75c,  summer 
50c 

$1.25 

.25 

2.00 

2.00 

1.00 

1.00 

.20 

.50 

.50 

.75 

.45 

.60 

.90 

3.00 

1.00 

.50 

2.00 

$1.25 

.25 

2.50 

2.00 

1.00 

1.00 

.30 

.50 

.50 

.75 

.45 

.75 

1.05 

3.50 

1.00 

.70 

2.00 

Total    . 

Boy  (13  Years) 
2  Caps 

$0.50 

2.00 

1.00 

1.50 

.60 

.50 

.60 

.90 

4.50 

1.50 

.50 

.20 

.50 

$0.50 

3.95 

1.25 

2.00 

.60 

.65 

.90 

1.35 

6.00 

1.50 

.50 

.30 

.50 

$20.00 

1  Stocking  cap  (school) 

1  Coat  (last  2  years^ 

?A  Winter  dresses  (material) .  . 
2  Summer  dresses  (material) . 
1  Sweater 

1  Overcoat  (last  2  years) .... 

6  Handkerchiefs  ... 

3  Waists  (material) 

2  Pairs  mittens 

Summer  underwear  (3  suits) 
Winter  underwear  (3  suits) 
3  Pairs  shoes 

3  Petticoats 

3  Ferris  waists 

Summer  underwear  (3  suits) 
Winter  underwear  (3  suits) 

Repair  of  shoes  (3  times). . . 

Repair  of  shoes  (twice) .... 
R  ubbers 

Total 

Sundric 

$14.80 

Total 

$17.90 

$19.50 

Woman 

2  Hats  (last  2  years) 

1  Coat  (last  2  years) 

1  Suit 

$2.00 

4.00 

6.00 

1.50 

2.50 

1.00 

.45 

.30 

.60 

4.00 

1.00 

.60 

1.05 

.25 

.50 

4.00 

$2.00 

5.00 

9.00 

1.50 

2.50 

1.00 

.45 

.30 

.60 

6.00 

1.00 

.75 

1.35 

.25 

.70 

4.00 

$36.40 

3  Waists 

2  Petticoats 

Clothing  Summary 

3  Aprons 

6  Pairs  stockings 

Man 

1915 

1917 

Repair  of  shoes  (twice) .... 
Summer  underwear  (3  suits) 
Winter  underwear  (3  suits) 
Mittens 

$31.80 

29.75 

17.90 

14.80 

9.95 

$39.10 
36.40 
19.50 
20.00 
12.10 

Woman 

Girl,  10  years 

Rubbers 

Linen  and  sundries 

Total 

Boy,  6  years 

Total,  per  year 

$29.75 

$104.20 

$127.10 

APPENDIX  B. 


Selected  Family  Budgets. 

The  following  family  budgets  have  been  submitted  by  public  and 
private  organizations.  They  are  valuable  in  that  they  represent  the 
ideas  and  conclusions  of  persons  who  are  in  daily  contact  with  social 
problems  in  New  York  City.  In  particular  the  budget  submitted  by 
the  Bellevue  Hospital  Social  Service  Bureau  should  be  noted  because  it 


152 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


is  the  accurate  result  of  an  intensive  survey  carried  on  by  the  workers  of 
this  bureau.  In  almost  every  case  a  family  of  five  persons  is  assumed. 
The  Bureau  of  Personal  Service  is  of  course  not  responsible  for  the 
prices  and  estimates  contained  in  these  budgets.  They  are  quoted 
just  as  they  were  submitted  to  this  Bureau. 


MANHATTAN. 
Association  for  Improving  the  Condition  of  the  Poor. 

Table  I.— comparison  of  a.  I.  C.  p.  family  budgets  in  1915  and  1917. 


Items 


Rent 

Clothing 

Fuel  and  Light . 
Sundries 


Food  (family  of  5) — 

Man 1      unit  $8.19 

Woman 0.8  unit  6.55 

Girl  (10  vears) 0.6  unit  4.91 

Child  (  6  years) 0.5  unit  4.10 

Child  (  2  years) 0.4  unit  3 .  28 

Total  per  month 

Total  per  year 


1915 

1917 

(Per  month) 

(Per  month) 

$12.00 

$13.00 

10.00 

10.00 

3.25 

3.25 

2.00 

$9,101 
7.28 

4.00 

27.03 

5.46 
4.55 
3.64 

30.03 

$  54.28 

$  60.28 

651.36 

723.36 

The  fact  cannot  be  over  emphasized  that  the  above  budget  indicates 
the  allowance  made  by  the  Association  for  Improving  the  Condition 
of  the  Poor  for  relief  purposes.  It  is,  therefore,  not  in  any  sense  an 
ideal  family  budget,  and  it  is  included  here  only  for  purpose  of  com- 
parison. The  following  are  extracts  from  a  statement  made  by  Bailey 
B.  Burritt,  General  Director,  in  explanation  of  the  various  items  of  the 
above  budget,  and  also  of  the  food  budget  in  Table  II. 

Rent: 

The  item  of  rent  represents  an  approximate  average  of  our  own  rents. 
The  $13.00  item  for  1917  does  not  represent  an  increase  in  actual  rent, 
as  we  have  found  but  little  evidence  of  any  increase,  but  does  indicate 
that  the  average  standard  of  a  home  considered  acceptable  by  the  Asso- 
ciation for  Improving  the  Condition  of  the  Poor  is  higher  in  1917  than 
it  was  in  1915. 


Clothing: 

Clothing  is  the  least  standardized  item  of  the  normal  family  budget. 
$2.00  a  month  for  each  individual  was  inadequate  to  cover  the  clothing 
budget  for  1915,  and  is  still  inadequate  now,  but  we  have  made  no  ex- 
tended study  of  the  considerable  increase  of  which  we  are  conscious  in 
1917.  Our  only  justification  for  the  clothing  item  in  our  budget  is  that 
much  clothing  is  given  to  our  families  and  we  depend  upon  this  to  make 
up  the  deficiency. 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES.  153 


Fuel  and  Light ; 


Experience  has  led  us  to  adopt  the  standard  of  $3.25  for  fuel  and 
light  as  being  the  average  expenditure  for  these  items.  It  is  inadequate 
in  1917.  Our  families  have  actually  spent  more  for  fuel  and  have  done 
so  by  drawing  on  the  modest  clothing  item  allowed  in  our  budget. 
Eight  families  checked  up  yesterday  spent  $29.66  for  fuel  and  light  in 
the  months  of  January,  February  and  March,  1917,  as  compared  with 
$26.75  for  the  same  period  in  1915,  an  increase  of  16.5  per  cent. 

Sundries : 

For  sundries  we  have  adopted  a  more  or  less  arbitrary  standard  of 
SI  each  for  the  first  three  individuals  in  the  family  and  50c  a  month  for 
each  additional  member  of  the  family,  with  a  maximum  of  $5.  This 
allowance  is  supposed  to  include  insurance,  such  household  supplies  as 
soap  and  cleaning  material  and  other  incidental  expenditures.  It  is 
not  adequate  for  the  replenishing  of  household  supplies.  Insurance 
was  not  included  under  sundries  in  the  $2  allowance  for  1915,  but  is 
included  in  the  $4  allowance  for  1917.  The  increase  from  $2  to  $4 
represents  progress  toward  recognition  of  the  inadequacy  of  this  item 
and  is  still  inadequate.     We  have  not  included  car  fare. 

Food: 

Last  autumn  we  arbitrarily  changed  our  food  allowance  per  diem  per 
individual  from  27c  to  30c.  This,  however,  is  less  than  the  actual  in- 
crease in  cost  of  food  during  the  past  two  years.  A  more  detailed  study 
of  food  prices  is  included  below.     (See  Table  II.) 

Table  II  indicates  the  results  of  a  study  made  last  November  of  the 
actual  increase  in  the  cost  of  food  weighted  as  the  average  workingman's 
family  budget  should  be  weighted.  We  have  also  added  the  prices  of 
the  same  allowance  for  March,  1917.  The  comparison  therefore  is 
between  November,  1915,  November,  1916,  and  March,  1917.  The 
statement  indicates  that  during  one  year  there  was  an  increase  in  food 
prices  of  26.9  per  cent  and  that  between  November,  1915,  and  March, 
1917,  there  was  an  increase  of  41.1  per  cent.  We  have  kept  for  the  pur- 
pose of  this  comparison  the  same  amount  of  potatoes  and  onions  as  in 
1915.  As  a  matter  of  fact  our  families  have  adjusted  their  purchases 
in  this  particular  so  that  the  net  increase  is  undoubtedly  not  as  great  as 
41.1  per  cent.  As  a  check  on  this  study  we  secure  wholesale  prices  of 
a  similar  family  order  from  Bradstreet's  for  1915  and  1916.  The  total 
wholesale  cost  of  these  foods  in  1915,  according  to  their  figures,  was 
S4.86  and  in  1916,  $6.20  an  increase  of  27.7  per  cent.  The  increase 
which  we  found  in  retail  prices  of  these  orders  was  26.9  per  cent.  Brad- 
street's  order  was  actually  for  a  family  of  two  adults  and  five  children, 
but  for  the  purpose  of  argument  it  does  not  change  the  situation.  These 
figures  check  so  closely  as  to  indicate  that  our  data  was  not  far  out  of  the 
way. 


154 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


Tabje  II.— comparison  OF  ACTUAL  RETAIL  PRICES  OF  A  SUGGESTIVE  WEEKLY  FOOD 
ORDER  FOR  A  FAMILY  OF  TWO  ADULTS  AND  THREE  CHILDREN  UNDER  14  YEARS 

OF  AGE. 


Food 

Quantity 

Nov.  1915 

Nov.  1916 

Mar.  1917 

Codfish 

1      lb. 

$0.10 

$0.15 

$0.15 

Eggs 

1      doz. 

0.31 

0.49 

0.39 

Butter 

IM  lbs. 

0.50 

0.65 

0.68 

Cheese 

M  lb. 

0.10 

0.12 

0.15 

Bread 

12      lbs. 

0.80 

0.96 

0.96 

Oatmeal 

3      lbs. 

0.12 

0.15 

0.15 

Macaroni 

1      lb. 

0.06 

0.08 

0.08 

Rice 

1      lb 

0.05 

0.06 

0.05 

Sugar 

3y2  lbs. 

0.23 

0.28 

0.30 

Beans 

2      lbs. 

0.18 

0.30 

0.30 

Carrots 

4      lbs. 

0.10 

0.16 

0.20 

Onions 

4      lbs. 

0.16 

0.20 

0.48 

Potatoes 

15       lbs. 

0.35 

0.75 

1.05 

Tomatoes     

1       lb. 

4      lbs. 

0.10 
0.10 

0.10 
0.20 

0.10 
0.20 

Apples 

Prunes 

2      lbs. 

0.14 

0.18 

0.24 

Cocoa 

Klb. 

0.13 

0.13 

0.13 

Tea 

Klb. 

0.07 

0.07 

0.07 

Coffee 

M  lb. 

0.10 

0.10 

0.10 

Chuck  steak 

2       lbs. 
2       lbs. 
14      qts. 

0.44 
0.44 
1   26 

0.44 
0.44 
1.40 

0.48 
0.<4 
1.54 

Flank  steak 

Milk 

Total  per  week 

$5.84 

$7.41 

$8.24 

Total  per  year 

303.68 

385,32 

428 . 48 

26.9% 

41.1% 

BROOKLYN. 
1. 

Estimates  by  Margaret  F.  Byington  and  Margerat  Perkins,  Superin- 
tendents, Department  of  Service  and  Relief,  Brooklyn  Bureau  of  Chari- 
ties, of  minimum  American  family  budgets  for  husband,  wife  and  three 
children  under  fourteen  years,  living  in  Brooklyn: 


1915 

1917 

$3.00 
7.00 

.60 
1.00 
2.00 
1.00 

.50 

$3.00 
9.00 

.60 
1.00 
3.00 
1.00 

.50 

Food 

Fuel  and  light  (maximum) 

Clothincr 

Furniture  and  sundries  (minimum) 

Insurance  ...          ...                                    

Total  per  week 

$  15.10 

$  18.10 

Yearly  total 

$785 . 20 

S.941  .20 
26.00 
26.00 

*Health,  50c  per  week 

$993.20 

*Not  included  in  1915  estimate 


BUDGETARY    STUIDES. 


155 


2. 

Estimate  by  Katherine  A.  Ward  and  Patrick  Mallon,  Society  of  St. 
Vincent  de  Paul,  Brooklyn,  of  a.  fair  standard  American  family  budget  for 
husband,  wife,  and  three  children  under  14  years,  living  in  Brooklyn: 


Rent 

Food 

Fuel  (average) 

Gas  (including  occasional  use  of  cooking  stove) . 

Clothing 

Insurance 

Total,  per  week 

Yearly  total 

Not  included:     Health,  Car  fare,  and  Sundries. 


$  3.00 

$  3.00 

*10.50 

12.00 

.60 

1.25 

.25 

.25 

.75 

1.25 

.40 

.40 

$   15.50 

$  18.15 

S806.00 

$943.80 

♦Stated  that  the  $1.50  per  day  food  allowance  would  purchase  only  the  bare  necessities  and  good 
household  managership  would  be  required  to  keep  out  of  debt.     The  clothing  estimate  is  very  low. 


SOCIAL  SERVICE  BUREAU  OF  BELLEVUE  HOSPITAL. 

The  following  is  an  itemized  family  budget  as  drawn  up  by  Mary 
Wadley,  supervisor  of  the  Social  Service  Bureau  of  Bellevue  Hospital, 
and  five  district  workers,  who  have  obtained  all  the  information  at  first 
hand.  These  figures  are  the  conservative  estimates  of  women  who  are 
daily  meeting  problems  arising  from  poverty,  and  who  have  an  exact 
knowledge  of  the  needs  of  the  typical  worker's  family.  These  are  not 
ideal  estimates.  They  represent  the  practical  requirements  for  main- 
taining a  decent  standard  of  living. 

The  basis  of  this  budget  is  a  family  of  five — husband,  wife,  and  three 
children  under  14  years. 


HOUSING 


Rent  (3  rooms),  $14  per  month 

CAR   FARE 

Cai  fare  (303  days) 

FUEL  AND  LIGHT 

Fuel — 3  bushels  coal,  at  25c  per  bushel 

6  bundles  wood,  at  2c  per  bundle 

Total  per  week 

Total  per  year  (26  weeks)   

Fuel  (total  coal  and  wood) 

Gas — $1 .  25  per  month  x  6K  months 

2.25  per  month  x  5%  months  (summer)* 

Total  per  year 


1915 
Per  year. 


$168.00 


30.30 


0.75 
.12 


$0.87 
22.62 


$22.62 
8.125 
12.375 

$43.12 


1917 
Per  year. 


$168.00 


$30.30 


at  40c,    1.20 
at2Kc,    .15 


$1.35 
35.10 


$35.10 
8.125 
12.375 

$55.60 


♦No  coal  is  used  during  the  summer  months.     The  gas  bill  is,  therefore,  increased  $1  per  month 


156 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


FOOD 
Minimum  Budget  for  One  Week. 


Meat  and  Fish 

5  lbs.  beef,  at  13c  a  lb 

J^  lb.  beef,  at  10c  a  lb 

2  lbs.  pork,  at  32c  a  lb.,  64c  or 

2  lbs.  ham,  at  14c  a  lb.,  28c av 

1  lb.  chicken  (4  lbs.  a  month) 

IK  lbs.  fresh  fish,  at  8c  a  lb , 


Eggs  and  Dairy  Products- 


1  lb.  butter 

K  lb.  cheese,  at  18c 

24  eggs  (storage,  31c  a  doz.) 

16  qts.  milk,*  at  6c  a  qt 

Cereals — 

21  loaves  of  bread,  at  5c 

1  doz.  rolls 

2  lbs.  cake,  at  10c  a  lb 

Rice  (1  lb.  per  mo) 

Flour  (3K  lbs.  twice  a  month) .  .  . 
Oatmeal  (2K  lbs.),  at  4c  a  lb 

Vegetables,  Fruits,  Etc. — 

6  qt«'.  Potatoes  (10c  foi  3K  lbs.)., 

Turnips  or  carrots 

2  lbs.  onions,  at  2c  a  lb , 

Fresh  vegetables 

Dried  beans  and  peas 

Can  of  tomatoes 

Can  of  corn  (per  month  8c) 

Fresh  fruit 

Dried  prunes  (1  lb.  per  month  8c) 


Sugar,  Tea,  Coffee,  Etc. — 

IK  lbs.  coffee. ,  at  20c  a  lb 

IH  lbs.  sugar  (18c  for  3 K  lbs.) 
Syrup  (four  10c  cans  per  year) . 
Pickles,  Spices,  etc 


Food  Summary 

Meat  and  fish 

Eggs  and  dairy  products 

Cereals 

Vegetables,  fruits,  etc 

Sugar,  tea,  coffee,  etc 

Total  per  week 

Total  per  year 


1915 


$0.65 
.05 

.46 
.16 
.12 

$1.44 


$1.96 


$1.05 
.10 


$1.54 


$0.18 
.05 
.04 
.50 
.05 
.07 
.02 
.25 
.02 

$1.18 


$0.30 
.09 
.008 
.05 

$0,448 


1917 


at  18c, 

$0.90 

at  15c, 

.08 

at  20c. 

or 

at  20c, 

.40 

.24 

at  14c. 

.21 

at  30c, 
at  55c, 
at    9c. 


at    6c, 


at  15c, 
2K  lbs.,  per  mo, 
at    8c, 

at    5c, 


1  qt.,  at  20c.  qt. 
at  10c, 


at  12c, 
at  14c, 


at  26c, 


$1.83 


$0.42 
.15 
1.10 
1.44 

$3.11 


$1.26 
.12 
.30 


$1.96 


$0.20^ 
.10 
.20 
.75 
.12 
.10 
.03 
.35 
.035 


$0.30 
.13 
.008 
.05 


$1.83 
3.11 
1.96 
1.885 
.488 


♦Loose  milk. 

tit  will  be  noted  that  rice  is  largely  substituted  for  potatoes  because  of  the  high  price  of  potatoes. 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


157 


CLOTHING 
Budget  for  One  Year 


Man 


2  hats  or  caps 

1  suit 

1  overcoat  ($10,  last  2  yrs.) 

1  pair  of  pants 

3  working  shirts 

2  white  shirts 

6  collars 

2  pairs  of  overalls 

4  ties 

4  handkerchiefs 

6  pairs  hose 

Gloves  and  mittens 

Shoes,  2  pairs 

Repair  of  shoes  (twice) .... 
Underwear 

Summer,  two  suits.    .... 
Winter,  two  suits 


1915 


$2.00 

10.00 

5.00 

2.00 

1.50 

1.00 

.60 

1.50 

.50 

.20 

.60 

.50 

4.00 

1.50 

1.00 
1.50 


$33 . 40 


1917 


$2.00 

14.00 

7.00 

2.50 

1.50 

1.50 

.90 

1.96 

.60 

.20 

.90 

.50 

5.00 

1.50 

1.00 
1.50 

$42.56 


Woman 


2  hats  ($6,  last  2  yrs.) 

1  coat  ($8,  last  2  yrs.) 

1  suit 

3  waists  (2   at   50c    and  1 
at$l) 

2  wash  dresses 

2  petticoats 

3  aprons  

6  handkerchiefs 

6  pairs  stockings 

2  pairs  shoes 

Repair  of  shoes  (twice) .... 
Underwear 

Summer,  three  suits 

Winter,  two  suits 

Gloves  and  mittens 

Linen 

Rubbers 

Sundries 


$3.00 

4.00 

8.00 

2.00 

2.50 

1.00 

.45 

.45 

.60 

4.00 

1.00 

.60 

1.40 

.75 

6.00 

.50 

3.00 

$39.25 

$3.00 

5.00 

10.00 

3.00 

2.50 

1.00 

.45 

.45 

.90 

5.00 

1.00 

.60 
2.00 

.75 
6.00 

.75 
4.00 

$46.40 


Boys  (6  and  4  Years) 


2  caps 

1  suit  (2  trousers),  winter.  . 
1  overcoat  ($3,  last  2  yrs.) 
6  prs.  stockings 

3  waists 

Underwear 

.  Summer,  3  suits 

Winter,  3  suits 

Shoes,  2  pairs 

Repair  of  shoes  (twice) . . .  . 

3  Ferris  waists 

6  handkerchiefs 

Mittens,  2  pairs 

Rubbers 

Ties 

Summer  suit 

Sundries 

Each 


1915 


$1.00 

3.00 

1.50 

.50 

"    .75 

.60 

1.00 

3.00 

1.00 

.75 

.25 

.50 

.50 

.25 

1.00 

.50 


$16.10 


Girl 


2  hats,  winter  best,  $1.50 
Summer  best,  $1.00  (last 
2  yrs.,),  $2.50 

1  stocking  cap  (school) .... 

2  winter  dresses 

2  wash  dresses  (summer) . . 
1  coat  ($4,  last  2   yrs.) 

1  sweater 

6  handkerchiefs 

6  pairs  stockings 

2  pairs  mittens 

3  petticoats 

Linen 

3  Ferris  waists 

Underwear 

Summer,  3  suits 

Winter.  2  suits -. . . 

Shoes,  2  pairs 

Repair  of  shoes  (twice) 

Rubbers 

Sundries 


1917 


$1.00 

4.00 

2.25 

.90 

.75 

.60 

1.50 

4.00 

1.00 

.75 

.30 

.50 

.65 

.35 

2.00 

.50 


$21.05 


$1.25 

.25 

4.00 

2.00 

2.00 

1.00 

.25 

.50 

.50 

.75 

1.50 

.75 

.60 

1.00 

4.00 

1.00 

.50 

1.50 

$23.35 

$1.25 

.50 

5.00 

2.00 

2.50 

1.50 

.30 

.90 

.50 

1.00 

2.00 

.75 

.60 
2.00 
5.00 
1.00 

.65 
2.00 

$29.45 


Clothing  Summary. 

1915 

1917 

Man 

$33.40 
39.25 
32.20 
23.35 

$42.56 
46.40 
42.10 
29.45 

Woman 

Boys  (2) 

Girl 

Total  p 

er  year    

$128.20 

$160.51 

Iransunce. 

1915 

1917 

Average  weekly  premium,  male  adult 

10c 
10c 
15c 

35c  per  week — $18.20  per  year. 

No 
change. 

Average  weekly  premium,  female  adult 

Average  weekly  premium,  child  (5c  x  3) 

158 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


HEALTH. 

1915  1917 

Medicines 50c  per  month — $6 .  00  per  year.  No  change, 

Note. — No  doctor's  fees  are  included  in  this  budget,  because  the  Social  Service  Bureau  has  ba: 
its  figures  on  families  receiving  free  medical  treatment  at  Bellevue  Hospital. 


1 


SUNDRIES. 

Papers  and  other  reading  matter 

Recreation 

Church  dues 

Furniture,  utensils,  fixtures,  etc 

Spending  money  for  father 

Miscellaneous — soap,  washing  material,  stamps,  moving  expenses,  etc 

Total  per  year 


1915 

1917 

$  5.00 

35.00 

10.00 

15.00 

5.00 

5.00 

$  5.00 

35.00 

10.00 

20.00 

5.00 

8.00 

$75.00 

$83.00 

Final  Summary 


Housing 

Car  fare 

Fuel  and  light 

Clothing 

Insurance 

♦Health  (Medicine) 

Sundries : 

Food 

Total  per  year 

Allowance  for  doctor's  fees  or  sick  benefit  organization  dues 

Grand  total 

*This  does  not  include  fees  for  doctor's  services. 


1915 

1917 

Per  year. 

Per  year. 

$168.00 

$168.00 

30.30 

.30.30 

43.12 

55.60 

128.20 

160.51 

18.20 

18.20 

.      6.00 

6.00 

75.00 

83.00 

341.536 

482.196 

$810,356 

$1,003,806 

14.00 

14.00 

$824,356 

$1,017,806 

i 


TENTATIVE  FAMILY  BUDGETS  SUBMITTED  BY  SOCIAL  WORKERS 
OF  THE   UNITED   HEBREW   CHARITIES,   FOR  AN  UNSKILLED 
LABORER'S  FAMILY  OF  FIVE  PERSONS. 

In  submitting  the  revised  figures  for  1917,  the  United  Hebrew  Charities 
makes  the  following  statement:  "A  recent  study  indicates  that  there  is 
a  25  per  cent  increase  in  food  prices,  and  though  a  thorough  inquiry  has 
not  been  made  into  the  cost  of  other  commodities,  it  is  safe  to  say  that 
there  is  a  10  per  cent  increase  in  rent,  fuel,  clothing  and  household  sup- 
plies." 


(1) 

1.  Housing  (4  rooms  at  $14) 

2.  Carfare  (50  weeks  at  60  cents — 1  person) 

3.  Food  ($8  per  week) 

4.  Fuel  and  light  (3  tons  coal — gas,  $2  per  month) 

5.  Clothing 

6.  Health 

7.  Insurance 

8.  Sundries 

Yearly  total 

Sundries  classified — 

Papers  and  other  reading  matter 

Recreation 

Furniture,  utensils,  fixtures,  etc 

Lodge  dues 

Spending  money  for  the  father 

Mi.scellaneous — soap,    washing    material,     stamps,  moving 
expenses,  etc 

Yearly  total 


1915 


$906.00 


$  5.00 

40.00 

25.00 

5.00 

15.00 

10.00 


($10  per  week) 


1917 


$184.80 
30.00 

520.00 
49.30 

110.00 
20.00 
25.00 

110.00 


$1,049.10 


$100.00 

Submitted  by  R.  P. 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


159 


(2) 


Housing 

Car  fare 

Food 

Fuel  and  light 

Clothing 

Health  (dispensary) 
Insurance  (lodge) .  . 
Sundries 


Yearly  total . 


Sundries  classified — 

Papers  and  other  reading  matter 

Recreation 

Furniture,  utensils,  fixtures,  etc 

Church  dues 

Spending  money  for  the  father 

Miscellaneous — soap,  washing  material,  stamps,  moving  expenses,  etc. 


Yearly  total 


1915 


$156.00 

$171.60 

30.00 

30.00 

364.00 

455.00 

40.00 

42.00 

100.00 

110.00 

'i6!66 

'i6;6o 

77.00 

84.70 

$783.00 

$909.30 

$  5.00 

40.00 

15.00 

5.00 

7.00 

5.00 

$77.00 


1917 


Submitted  by  M.  Halpern,  Supervisor,  District  No.  4,  February  11,  1915. 

(3) 

I  am  making  only  a  rough  estimate,  as  such  a  budget  would  take  con- 
siderable time  and  should  be  based  upon  a  careful  investigation  of  a 
number  of  families  of  a  given  group. 

Assuming  that  the  ages  of  the  children  are  11,9  and  7,  and  that  they 
are  girls,  I  have  made  the  following  estimate : 


1 .  Housing 

2.  Car  fare 

3.  Food 

4.  Fuel  and  light 

5.  Shoes  and  clothing  (this  includes  2  pairs  of  shoes  each  for  the  children  a( 

$1.50,  and  2  pairs  each  for  the  man  and  woman  at  $4,  excluding  cost  of 
repairs) 

6.  Health 

7.  Insurance 

8.  Sundries 

Yearly  total 

Sundries  classified — 

Papers  and  other  reading  matter 

Recreation 

p-urniture,  utensils,  fixtures,  shoe  repairing 

Miscellaneous 

Yearly  total 


1915 

1917 

$144.00 
30.00 

*377.00 
31.00 

100.00 
20.00 
25.00 
51.00 

$158.40 

30.00 

471.25 

32.50 

110.00 
20.00 
25.00 
56.10 

$778.00 

$  5.00 

26.00 

15.00 

5.00 

$903.25 

$51.00 

♦Allowing  $2  per  week  for  man,  $1.50  for  woman,  $1.25  for  each  of  the  three  children.  This  is  a  more 
liberal  estimate  than  that  given  by  Chapin's  Budget,  which  was  made  a  few  years  ago.  I  increased  the 
amount  to  meet  the  present  needs  of  higher  cost  of  living. 

Submitted  by  Anna  Fox. 


14.— DIGEST  OF  LITERATURE  ON  COST  OF  LIVING  OF 
WORKINGMEN  IN  NEW  YORK  CITY. 

The  Bureau  of  Standards  of  New  York  City  in  its  report  of  1915 
to  the  Committee  on  Salaries  and  Grades  of  the  Board  of  Estimate,  on 
the  Cost  of  Living  for  an  Unskilled  Laborer's  Family,  submitted  a  digest 
of  the  authoritative  literature  bearing  on  the  subject.  This  is  reprinted 
here  because  of  its  value  in  giving,  in  brief  summary  form,  the  results  of 
independent  and  impartial  studies  as  to  the  minimum  family  standards 
of  workingmen,  and  the  basis  for  an  estimate  as  to  how  they  have  been 
affected  by  rising  prices. 


160  BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 

INDEX  TO  DIGEST. 

The  Standard  of  Living  Among  Workingmen's  Families  in  New  York 
City. 
Robert  Coit  Chapin. 

Russell  Sage  Foundation,  1909. 
The  Influence  of  Income  on  Standards  of  Life. 
Robert  Coit  Chapin. 

American  Economic  Association  Publication,  Vol.  10,  1909. 
Cost  of  Living  for  Wage-Earner's  Family  in  New  York  City. 
Louise  Bolard  More. 

Annals  of  the  American  Academy  of  Political  and  Social  Sci- 
ence, July,  1913. 
Wage-Earner's  Budgets. 

Louise  Bolard  More. 
Financing  the  Wage-Earner's  Family. 
Scott  Nearing. 

New  York,  B.  W.  Huebsch,  1913 . 
A  Living  Wage. 

John  Augustine  Ryan. 

New  York,  The  MacMillan  Co.,  1906  . 
Utilization  of  the  Family  Income. 
Martha  Bensley  Bruere. 

Annals  of  the  American  Academy  of  Political  and  Social  Sci- 
ence, July,  1913  . 
Some  Unconsidered  Elements  in  Household  Expenditures. 
Margaret  Frances  Byington. 

Annals  of  the  American  Academy  of  Political  and  Social  Sci- 
ence, July,  1913 . 
Cost  of  Living  of  the  Normal  Family. 
Frank  Hatch  Streightoff . 

DIGEST. 

Several  reliable  and  accurate  studies  have  been  made  of  the  cost  of 
living  for  laborers  in  New  York  City.  The  book  generally  regarded  as 
standard  is  Robert  Coit  Chapin's  "The  Standard  of  Living  Among 
Workingmen's  Families  in  New  York  City." 

"THE  STANDARD   OF  LIVING  AMONG  WORKINGMEN'S  FAMILIES  IN 

NEW  YORK  CITY." 

This  volume  is  a  compendium  of  the  data  obtained  by  the  Special  Com- 
mittee on  Standard  of  Living,  appointed  by  the  seventh  New  York  State 
Conference  of  Charities  and  Correction,  and  contains  a  detailed  study 
of  the  expenditures  and  living  conditions  of  391  families  in  Greater 
New  York,  averaging  five  persons  each  whose  incomes  range  approxi- 
mately from  $600  to  $1,100.  Twenty-five  families  below  the  $600 
mark  and  forty-eight  above  the  $1,100  mark  are  included  for  the  sake  of 
indicating  tendencies,  but  the  main  attention  is  concentrated  upon  the 
318  families  within  the  $600  to  $1,100  range.  The  families  under  dis- 
cussion are  distributed  as  follows: 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES.  161 

(a)  By  Borough — 

Manhattan 291 

Bronx. 17 

Brooklyn 64 

Queens 9 

Total 391 


(b)  By  nationality  of  the  father — 

American 88 

Teutonic 46 

Irish 26 

Colored 29 

Bohemian 14 

Russian 78 

Austro-Hungarian 39 

Italian ^. 69 

Others 2 

Total 391 


(c)  By  occupation — 

Domestic  and  personal  service '.  96 

Trade 47 

Transportation 53 

Manufacturing  and  mechanical  trades 189 

Professional 6 


Total 391 

The  occupations  represented  are  principally  those  of  the  less  skilled 
employments,  in  which  the  wage  is  from  $2  to  $3  a  day.  In  the  group 
are  found  laborers,  teamsters,  garment  workers,  bar-tenders,  cooks, 
waiters,  janitors,  tradesmen,  agents,  clerks,  dealers,  etc. 

The  expenditures  are  analyzed  under  the  following  heads:  (1) 
Housing,  (2)  Car  fare,  (3)  Fuel  and  Light,  (4)  Food,.  (5)  Clothing,  (6) 
Health,  (7)  Insurance,  (8)  Sundry  minor  items. 

Tables  and  charts  show  the  apportionment  (averages  and  percentages) 
of  expenditures  by: 

1.  Income  group,  i.  e.,  $600  to  $699;  $700  to  $799;  $800  to  $899- 
$900  to  $999;  $1,000  to  $1,099  per  year. 


* 


2.  Nationality. 

3.  Borough  (in  some  cases), 


The  relation  of  income  to  expenditure  is  compared  in  detail  by  in; 
come  groups  and  nationalities  carefully  analyzed  and  summarized  in 
the  following  table,  which  in  concentrated  form  gives  a  comprehensive 
review  of  the  problem: 


162 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


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BUDGETARY   STUDIES.  163 

Dr.  Chapin  has  carefully  prepared  statistics  showing  in  general  the 
minimum  expenditure  required  for  each  item.  His  conclusions,  with- 
out respect  to  nationality  or  borough,  are  as  follows: 

Housing: 

When  it  is  remembered  that  in  most  quarters  of  the  City  an  apart- 
ment of  four  rooms  costs  more  than  $14  a  month,  it  will  be  seen  that  no 
proper  standard  for  housing  conditions  can  be  maintained  for  a  year 
at  less  than  twelve  times  this  amount,  or  $168. 

Car  Fare: 

$25  a  year  is  needed  by  the  average  family  for  car  fare. 

Fuel  and  Light : 

The  minimum  required  for  this  purpose  is  tabulated  as  follows: 

Three  tons  of  coal,  at  $6.50 $19.50 

Wood  and  matches 3 .  00 

Gas,  at  $2  per  month  in  summer,  and  $1 

per  month  in  winter 18.00 


Total $40.50  per  year. 


Food: 


On  the  basis  of  prices  preyailing  in  the  summer  of  1907,  the  families 
which  spent  at  the  rate  of  less  than  22  cents  per  man  per  day  did  rot 
have  sufficient  food  to  maintain  physical  efficiency.  Dr.  Chapin  did 
not  arrive  at  definite  conclusions  regarding  the  amount  of  food  required 
by  a  family,  since  it  necessarily  varies  according  to  the  ages  of  the 
children.  He  did,  however,  consider  one  family  consisting  of  father, 
mother  and  three  children,  aged  four,  three  and  two  years,  respectively, 
and  in  this  case  regarded  $4.24  per  week,  not  including  lunches  for  the 
man,  as  the  absolute  minimum.  (This  minimum  pre-supposes  a  house- 
wife with  a  knowledge  of  the  nutritive  values  of  foods,  efficient  in  house- 
hold management  and  able  to  exercise  judgment  in  purchasing  supplies, 
a  decidedly  extravagant  supposition.  Nor  is  it  fair  to  base  estimates 
on  conditions  existing  in  a  family  in  which  the  children  are  so  young. 
Authorities  generally  agree  that  not  less  than  $7.00  per  week  is  required 
for  food). 

Clothing: 

Not  less  than  $100  is  required  to  provide  decent  clothing  for  a  normal 
family  of  five. 


164  BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 

Health: 

Aside  from  a  flat  statement  that  an  $800  income  does  not  permit 
expenditures  sufficient  to  care  properly  for  the  health  of  the  family, 
Dr.  Chapin  does  not  allow  any  fixed  sum  for  health  expenses.  Statistics 
show  that  where  the  health  expenditures  are  heavy,  expenditures  in 
other  directions  are  curtailed.  For  instance,  an  abnormally  low  ex- 
penditure for  the  man's  clothing  appears  in  one  schedule,  where  it  is 
stated  also  that  he  was  sick  in  a  hospital  for  several  weeks.  In  other 
cases  where  the  health  expenditure  is  large,  the  expenditures  for  amuse- 
ment, recreation  and  miscellaneous  purposes  disappear. 

Insurance : 

Insurance  is  carried  by  a  majority  of  families,  but  generally  of  the 
industrial  type,  more  properly  described  as  burial  insurance  than  life 
insurance.  Policies  usually  amount  to  $100  fcr  adults  and  $50  for 
children.  Twenty-five  dollars  a  year  is  a  very  reasonable  expenditure 
for  this  purpose. 

Sundry  Minor  Items : 

These  include  expenditures  for  furniture,  recreation  and  amusements, 
education  and  reading  matter,  moving,  and  dues  and  contributions. 
The  expenditures  vary  from  $47.55  to  $114.59.  Dr.  Chapin  does  not 
venture  to  state  a  minimum. 


GENERAL  CONCLUSIONS  OE  DR.  CHAPIN. 

1.  "An  income  under  $800  is  not  enough  to  permit  the  maintenance 
of  a  normal  standard." 

2.  "An  income  of  $900  or  over  probably  permits  the  maintenance 
of  a  normal  standard,  at  least  as  far  as  the  physical  man  is  concerned." 

3.  "  It  seems  probable  that  on  an  amount  ranging  from  $800^  to  $900, 
the  standards  prevailing  among  Bohemians,  Russians,  Austrians  and 
Italians  may  be  maintained,  but  that  it  is  the  exception  rather  than  the 
rule,  when  the  more  expensive  standards  of  the  American  and  kindred 
nationalities  are  maintained  on  this  amount." 

4.  "A  comparison  of  the  families  by  nationalities  shows  that  at 
almost  every  point  a  lower  standard  of  expenditure  prevails  among  the 
Bohemians,  Russians,  Austrians  and  Italians  than  among  the  Ameri- 
cans, Teutons  and  Irish.  The  families  of  the  former  group  on  incomes 
above  $700  to  $800  begin  to  save  and  show  a  surplus  *  *  *  while  fami- 
lies of  the  other  group  do  not  reach  the  saturation  point,  so  to  speak, 
below  an  income  of  $900  or  $1,000." 

5.  "The  standard  of  living  varies  as  the  two  jaws  of  the  vise,  wages 
and  prices  contract  and  relax." 


p 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES.  165 

"THE  INFLUENCE  OF  INCOME  ON  STANDARDS  OF  LIFE." 


In  this  article  Dr.  Chapin  brings  out  the  following:  That  22  cents 
per  diem  per  man  is  the  minimum  allowance  for  food;  that  one  and  one- 
half  persons  to  a  room ^  not  over  six  persons  to  four  rooms,  is  the  minimum 
standard  of  housing;  and  that  $100  per  year  is  the  absolute  minimum 
for  clothing  and  washing. 

According  to  these  standards  the  following  conditions  in  income 
groups  appear: 

(a)  $400  to  $500:    All  are  underfed. 

88%  underclad. 
65%  overcrowded. 

(b)  $500  to  $600:    65%  underfed. 

88%  underclad. 
71%  overcrowded. 

(c)  $600  to  $700:     33%  underfed. 

63%  underclad. 
51%  overcrowded. 

For  every  income  group  thereafter,  overcrowding  is  the  main  evil' 
Even  in  the  $1,100  group,  where  none  are  underfed  and  only  6%  under- 
clad, 21%  are  overcrowded. 

The  above  facts  show  that,  in  (a)  the  need  of  shelter  is  being  satisfied 
at  the  expense  of  food  and  clothing,  in  (b)  the  desire  for  sufficient  food 
is  being  satisfied  at  the  expense  of  shelter.  A  higher  rental  is  paid  but 
more  people  are  crowded  into  the  rooms. 

In  discussing  savings,  Dr.  Chapin  shows  that  the  fact  that  money  is 
saved  is  no  proof  that  a  proper  standard  of  physical  efficiency  is  attained. 
Many  families  save  at  the  expense  of  efficiency  and  comforts.  For 
example,  in  the  three  income  groups  mentioned  above,  50%  of  the 
underfed,  65%  of  the  underclad,  and  44%  of  the  overcrowded,  report 
a  surplus  of  $25  or  more.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  proportion 
of  families  saving  money  among  the  Russian  and  Italian  families  is  much 
higher  than  among  the  Americans. 

"COST  OF  LIVING  FOR  A  WAGE-EARNER'S  FAMILY  IN 
NEW  YORK  CITY." 

With-^the  exception  of  Dr.  Chapin's  work  upon  this  problem,  Louise 
Bolard  More  has  accomplished  more  for  our  purpose  than  any  other 
authority.  In  this  article  Mrs.  More  designates  $850  a  year,  or  $16.50 
a  week,  as  a  representative  income  of  the  typical  family  under  discussion. 
This  income  is  a  little  above  the  point  where  a  household  ceases  to  run 
into  debt.  It  allows  a  small  margin  whereby  a  respectable  family 
may  retain  a  fair  physical  and  moral  standard  under  city  conditions. 


166 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


"Other  investigations,  as  well  as  my  own,  have  placed  this  as  a  fair 
average  for  workingmen's  families  in  a  city  like  New  York." 

Her  conclusions  are  based  on  the  following  conservative  family  bud- 
get: 


Object  of  Expenditure. 

Per  week 

Per  year 

Rent 

$3.25 

7.00 

2.00 

.80 

.70 

2.75 

$168 

364 

100 

40 

35 

143 

Food 

Clothing 

Fuel  and  light 

Insurance 

Sundries 

Total 

$16.50 

$850 

This  budget  is  supported  by  the  following  data : 

Rent: 

Thirteen  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  month  is  19.4%  of  total  expendi- 
ture. Three  or  four  rooms  at  present  rates  would  cost  $12,  $16  or  $18 
per  month.     Conservative  estimate:     $14  per  month — $168  per  year. 

Food: 

Recent  investigations  place  necessary  expenditure  for  food  at  22c 
per  day  per  man.  Thus,  for  a  family  of  five,  with  the  children  aged  12, 
8  and  3  years,  $5.70  is  a  minimum,  but  this  necessitates  scientific  knowl- 
edge of  food  values,  household  efficiency,  and  economical  buying. 

One  dollar  per  day  is  generally  regarded  by  housekeepers  as  adequate 
to  provide  nutrition  for  a  family  of  five  or  six  persons.  Conservative 
estimate:     $7  per  week — $364  per  year. 

Clothing: 

The  expenditure  for  clothing  varies  greatly.  However,  $100  per  year 
is  considered  a  minimum  allowance. 

Fuel  and  Light: 

Coal  at  $6  to  $6.50  a  ton  or  25c  a  bushel  or  10c  a  pail. 

Gas  at  25c  per  250  cubic  feet. 

Wood — gathered  by  children. 

Twenty-five  families  with  incomes  between  $800  and  $900  average 
$44.51  per  year  for  light  and  fuel.  Conservative  estimate:  $40  per 
year. 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES.  167 

Insurance : 

Expenditure  for  this  item  is  almost  universal.  Only  26  out  of  the  200 
families  investigated  did  not  carry  life  insurance.  Policies  vary  from 
$50  to  $300,  bearing  a  premium  of  $30  to  $40  per  year.  Average  amount — 
$37.19.  In  one  case  an  expenditure  of  $127  per  year  with  an  income  of 
only  $1,200  was  discovered.     Conservative  estimate — $35. 

Sundries,  Car  Fare,  Furniture,  etc. : 


Papers  and  magazines 

Furniture,  kitchen  utensils,  etc 

Recreation  (summer  excursions,  dances,  theatres,  etc.) 

Drink  (occasional  pint  of  beer  at  supper — man  not  a  hard  drinker) . 

Church  dues 

Spending  money — father  (including  shaves,  tobacco,  car  fares  to 

and  from  work,  union  dues,  and  drink  outside  home) 

Occasional  sickness 

Miscellaneous — domestic  service  in  time  of  sickness,  soap,  washing 

materials  writing  paper,  stamps,  moving  expenses,  etc 

Total 


Per  year. 


$  5.00 

15.00 

20.00 

20.00 

5.00 

50.00 
10.00  or  less 

18.00 


$143.00 


"WAGE-EARNERS*  BUDGETS." 
In  this  book,  Louise  Bolard  More  again  concludes  that  a  well-nour- 
ished family  of  five  in  New  York  City  needs  at  least  $6  per  week  for 
food.  The  average  food  expenditure  for  39  families  of  five  persons  each 
was  $327.24  per  year  or  $6,293  per  week.  Considering  $6  a  week  or 
$312  per  year  as  43.4%  of  the  total  expenditure,  that  being  the  average 
percentage  expended  for  food  in  the  200  families  under  immediate  con- 
sideration and  approximately  the  average  arrived  at  in  the  extensive 
investigation  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Labor,  the  total  expenditure 
for  all  purposes  would  be  about  $720  a  year.  Making  allowance  for  a 
larger  proportion  of  surplus  than  was  found  in  these  families,  in  order 
to  provide  for  the  future,  the  minimum  income  should  be  from  $800  to 
$900  per  year. 

"FINANCING  THE  WAGE-EARNER'S  FAMILY." 
This  book  by  Scott  Nearing  discusses  in  detail  the  question  of  the 
standard  of  living,  but  his  chapter  upon  individual  family  budgets,  with 
particular  reference  to  a  minimum  New  York  City  budget,  contains  the 
only  information  that  would  be  useful  for  our  purpose.  This  particular 
discussion  is  a  criticism  of  a  family  budget  obtained  by  Mrs.  More. 

The  budget  was  prepared  by  an  average  Irish  family,  consisting  of 
father,  mother,  and  two  boys,  eight  and  nine  years  of  age.     The  man  was 
a  steady,  temperate,  unskilled  laborer,  and  the  woman,  who  had  con- 
siderable native  thrift,  was  neat,  honest  and  reliable. 
The  estimated  expenditures  were  as  follows: 


Rent:  2  mos.  at  $10;  7  mos.  at  $12;  3  mos.  at  $11 

Food,  from  $4  to  $7  a  week 

Drink  (pint  of  beer  at  supper  daily) 

Clothing 

Light  and  fuel 

Insurance  from  50  to  75  cents  a  week  

Papers,  1 1  cents  a  week 

Church,  35  cents  a  week  (for  50  weeks) 

Man's  spending  money 

Sundries 


Total.  . 
Income. 


Deficit $22.50 


Per  year. 


$137.00 
277.00 
36.40 
40.00 
52.00 
29.25 

5.72 
17.50 
25.00 

2.03 


$622.50 
600.00 


168 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


Upon  analysis  Mr.  Nearing  shows  the  cost  of  food  to  be  shghtly  more 
than  the  22c  per  man  per  day  estimate,  while  the  expenditure  for  cloth-  J 
ing  is  abnormally  low,  so  low  in  fact  that  it  cannot  be  considered  accu-  ' 
rate.     The  housing  was  inadequate,  with  only  three  small  dark  rooms, 
the  windows  of  two  of  these  opening  into  an  airshaft.     There  was  no 
allowance  whatsoever  for  recreation  or  health. 


"A  LIVING  WAGE." 

For  the  purpose  of  comparing  conditions  in  New  York  City  with  con- 
ditions elsewhere,  the  family  budgets  following  are  included.  They  are 
the  result  of  a  study  made  by  John  Augustine  Ryan,  as  described  in 
Chapter  VII  of  his  book — "A  Living  Wage."  He  compares  two  family 
budgets,  one  by  the  U.  S.  Commissioner  of  Labor  in  1905,  showing  the 
average  yearly  cost  of  living  for  2,132  families  averaging  5.7  persons, 
the  other  a  revision  of  this  same  budget  showing  the  cost  of  living  at 
minimum  prices. 
Family  budget,  from  the  seventh  Same  budget  revised  to  show  the 

annual  report  of  the  Commis-  cost    of    living    at    minimum 

sioner  of  Labor  (1905).  prices. 


Food 

Per  year 

$287.06 

72 .  58 

35.75 

4.90 

107.40 

5.43 

6.47 

20.22 

6.06 

6.60 

10.29 

2.80 

19.79 

5.25 
9.36 
15.98 
10.48 
22.31 
38.19 

Food 

Per  year. 

$235.00 

84.00 

30.00 

4.90 

107.40 

5.00 

6.06 
6.60 

10.29 
2.80 

19.79 

10.00 

20.00 

10.00 

8.00 

38.19 

Rent  (av.  no.  of  rms.  4.7) 

Fuel 

Rent   . .           .  .                                  

Fuel 

Clothing 

Clothing 

Taxes  (nearly  K  of  families  made  no 
return  for  this) 

Insurance  (property) 

Insurance  (property) 

Insurance  (life) 

(Eliminated  because  he  should  have 
saved  enough  to  provide  for  old 
age.) 

Insurance  (life)   

Organizations  (labor) 

Organizations  (other) 

Or8:anizations  (other) 

Religion 

Religion                                           

Charity 

Charity 

Furniture  and  utensils  (an  irreducible 

Furniture  and  utensils 

Books  and  newspapers 

Books  and  newspapers  (school  books  in- 

Intoxicating  liquors 

Tobacco                                             

Tobacco 

Sickness  and  death    (provided   for  by 
saving) . 

Sickness  and  death 

Total 

Total                               

$687.02 

$601.03 

The  total  average  of  expendi- 
tures per  family  was  $610.61. 
The  discrepancy  arose  from  the 
fact  that  hundreds  of  families 
made  no  mention  of  several  items. 


Conclusions. 

(1)  In  New  York,  $600  would 
not,  even  during  periods  of  low 
prices,  obtain  the  irreducible 
minimum  of  the  revised  column. 
It  is  not  a  living  wage  in  New 
York  City. 

(2)  Anything  less  than  $600  is 
not  a  living  wage  in  cities  of  the 
United  States. 

(3)  This  sum  is  probably  a  liv- 
ing wage  in  certain  cities  of  the 
South  where  goods  and  rent  are 
cheaper. 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


169 


IS.—MINIMUM  STANDARDS  OF  FAMILY  INCOME.     (FROM 

CONDITIONS  OF  LABOR  IN  AMERICAN  INDUSTRIES. 

LAUCK  AND  SYDENSTRICKER,  1917.) 

The  Point  of  Adequate  Subsistence. — The  various  recent  investiga- 
tions of  budgets  of  families  in  different  ranges  of  income  appear  to  indi- 
cate quite  clearly  that  the  point  of  adequate  subsistence  is  not  reached 
until  an  income  of  about  $800  or  $900  is  provided.  The  percentage  of 
family  income  spent  for  food  remains  practically  the  same,  or  is  greater, 
in  families  with  incomes  of  less  than  that  amount;  in  families  with  in- 
comes of  $800  or  more,  the  percentage  of  income  spent  for  food  is  found 
to  be  proportionately  less  as  income  increases,  indicating  that  only  then 
is  income  sufficient  to  allow  a  surplus  left  from  food,  rent,  etc.,  to  be 
spent  on  "incidentals." 

This  conclusion  was  shown  by  the  British  Board  of  Trade's  inquiry 
into  the  cost  of  living  in  American  towns,  in  1909,  as  well  as  by  Chapin's 
New  York  investigation,  in  1907,  to  which  reference  has  already  been 
made.  "These  figures,"  said  Chapin,  referring  to  the  percentages  in 
relation  to  income  groups,  "would  seem  to  indicate  that  not  until  the 
family  is  able  to  spend  well  beyond  $1,000  does  it  satisfy  its  wants  for 
food  on  a  smaller  proportion  of  its  total  income  than  when  it  had  only 
$600  or  $700  for  all  purposes.  Whether  this  is  due  to  insufficient  nutri- 
tion or  lower  income,  or  to  indulgence  of  more  expensive  tastes  as  re- 
sources increase,  we  may  be  able  at  a  later  point  to  suggest.  Certainly 
the  point  of  diminishing  percentages  lof  expenditure  for  food  is  placed 
much  higher  in  the  income  scale  than  in  the  cases  on  which  Engel  based 
his  well-known  generalizations.     (^) 

Engel's  generalizations  were  borne  out  quite  positively  with  regard  to 
expenditures  for  food  by  the  Federal  Bureau  of  Labor's  Cost  of  Living 
Study  in  1901,  as  the  statistics  already  quoted  in  the  chapter  on  Family 
Income  and  Expenditure  shows.  Chapin's  more  intensive  study  fur- 
nished further  data,  which  are  extremely  interesting,  regarding  the 
proportion  of  underfed  in  the  various  income  groups.  An  analysis  of 
the  nutrition  values  of  the  food  of  these  families  showed  that  the  pro- 
portion of  underfed  families  was  as  follows:     C) 


«  R.  C.  Chapin:     Standard  of  Living  in  New  York  City,  p.  123. 

^  Ibid,  p.  127.     These  analyses  were  made  by  Dr.  F.  R.  Underbill,  professor  of  physiological  chem- 
ary  in  Yale  University,  upon  the  scale  of  values  adopted  by  the  Federal  Department  of  Agriculture. 


AMILY  INCOMES  AND  PERCENTAGE  OF  UNDERFED  FAMILIES  IN  EACH  INCOME 

GROUP. 


Family  income. 

Per  cent  of 
underfed 
families. 

Family  income. 

Per  cent  of 
underfed 
families. 

$400-$599 

76 
32 
22 

$900-$l,099 

9 
0 

600-  799 

800-899... 

1,100  and  over 

170 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


"This  means,"  comments  Professor  Chapin,  "that  with  less  than 
$600  to  spend  for  all  purposes,  an  adequate  food  supply  is  not  provided, 
and  that  on  from  $600  to  $800  incomes,  one  family  in  three  is  underfed, 
while  less  than  one  in  ten  of  the  families  having  $900  and  $1,000  to  spend 
fell  short  of  the  minimum  for  food."     (^) 

The  point  of  inadequate  subsistence  has  also  been  indicated  by  various 
investigations  into  the  health  of  wage-working  families  and  by  mortality 
statistics.  The  relation  of  poverty  to  disease  is  discussed  in  greater 
detail  in  an  earlier  chapter,  but  it  is  perhaps  significant  to  note  that  the 
careful  studies  of  infant  mortality  by  the  Federal  Children's  Bureau 
point  to  a  very  definite  line  of  adequate  subsistence. 

PER  CENT  OF  FAMILIES  UNDERFED,  UNDERCLOTHED  AND  OVERCROWDED,  BY 

INCOME. 


Family  income. 

Number 

of 
families. 

Under- 
fed. 

Per  cent  which  were 

Under- 
clothed. 

Over- 
crowded. 

Under- 

fed 

and 
under- 
clothed. 

Under- 
fed 
and 
over- 
crowded. 

Under- 
clothed 
and 
over- 
crowded. 

$    400-$    490    .. .      . 

8 
17 
72 
79 
73 
63 
31 
18 
30 

100 
65 
33 
30 
22 
8 
10 

88 
88 
63 
52 
32 
25 
3 
6 

63 
71 
57 
58 
53 
40 
30 
21 

88 
59 
18 
14 
10 
3 

63 
47 
19 
19 
15 
6 
3 

50 
53 
39 
35 
25 
11 

500-      599 

600-      699 

700-      799 

800-      899 

900-      999 

1,000-   1,099 

1,100-  1,199 

1 ,200  and  over 

Total 

391 

•• 

•• 

The  size  of  the  families  included  in  the  above  statistics  was  not  less  than  four  nor  more  than  six  per- 
sons, the  average  size  in  each  income  group  being  approximately  five  persons. 


In  a  steel  manufacturing  town,  Johnstown,  Pa.,  for  example,  it  was 
found  that  unless  the  family  had  an  annual  income  of  about  $800  or 
more,  the  death  rate  among  infants  was  considerably  above  the  average. 
O  Using  infant  mortality  as  an  indicator  of  healthful  conditions  of 
living,  this  can  be  interpreted  only  as  meaning  that  a  family  could  not 
provide  sanitary  housing,  healthful  environment  and  adequate  food,  or 
permit  the  mother  to  stay  at  home  and  not  be  a  wage-earning  member 
of  the  family,  unless  the  family  income  was  over  $800  a  year. 

Studies  of  Minimum  Standards  of  Family  Income. — With  the  fore- 
going evidence  as  to  the  point  of  adequate  subsistence,  the  results  of 
several  intensive  studies  of  minimum  standards  of  family  income  tend 
to  agree.     Giving  what  seems  to  be  due  allowance  for  differences  in 


(•)  Ibid,  p.  128.  Chapin  also  presented  statistics  as  to  underfed,  underclothed  and  overcrowded 
families  in  the  various  Income  groups  from  which  the  following  tabulation  has  been  made  (p.  241): 

(')  United  States  Department  of  Labor,  Children's  Bureau:  Infant  Mortality — Results  of  a  Field 
Study  in  Johnstown,  Pa.,  p.  45.  In  families  where  the  father  earned  less  than  $521  a  year,  or  less  than 
$10  a  week,  the  infant  mortality  rate  was  255.7,  as  contrasted  with  130.7  for  the  community  as  a  whole, 
and  It  was  three  times  as  high  as  In  families  where  the  father  earned  $1,200  or  more  a  year.  In  a  similar 
investigation  In  Montclair,  N.  J.,  the  Children's  Bureau  found  that  the  infant  mortality  rate  In  famillc* 
where  the  income  was  lesa  than  $12  a  week  was  more  than  twice  as  high  as  in  families  where  the  income 
was  $23  or  more  a  week. 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES.  171 

methods  of  investigation,  in  point  of  view,  and  in  conditions  considered, 
these  studies  by  various  authorities  of  actual  conditions  in  workingmen's 
famines  may  be  said  to  strengthen  the  estimate  that  unless  a  family  of 
the  normal  size  (^°)  has  an  income  of  about  $800,  (^^)  it  cannot  maintain 
such  a  standard  of  living  as  we  have  had  in  mind.     It  is  generally  agreed, 
lof  course,  that  a  greater  measure  of  health  than  this  minimum  would 
'afford  would  be  desirable,  but  approximately  $800  seems  to  be  regarded 
,as  the  least  amount  necessary  after  paring  down  all  expenditures  for 
|food,  clothing,  rent,  insurance,  health,  furnishings,  recreation  and  inci- 
dentals to  a  degree  that  hardly  seems  possible  with  the  utmost  frugality. 
The  closeness  with  which  these  determinations  have  been  made  will 
be  clearly  evident  if  some  of  them  are  itemized  in  some  detail  and  com- 
pared with  an  estimate  submitted  by  a  labor  union  composed  of  skilled 
workers   and   another   for   government   employes.     During    1915,    five 
determinations  and  estimates  of  the  minimum  cost  of  maintaining  a 
ifamily  appeared,  two  of  them  being  made  by  the  New  York  Factory 
-Investigating  Commission,  one  by  the  New  York  City  Bureau  of  Stand- 
iards,  one  by  a  representative  of  the  legislative  committee  of  the  American 
jFederation  of  Labor,  one  by  the  Amalgamated  Association  of  Street  and 
'Electric  Railways.     The  last  named  was  an  estimate  used  by  representa- 
itives  of  street  railway  employes  in  the  recent  arbitration  in  Chicago. 
They  are  summarized  for  purposes  of  comparison  in  the  table  which 
'follows. 

These  determinations  are  corroborated,  in  large  measure,  by  other  well- 
recognized  investigations.  For  New  York  City,  Professor  Chapin,  in 
1907,  arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  "an  income  under  $800  is  not  enough 
to  permit  the  maintenance  of  a  normal  standard"  for  a  family  of  five 
persons;  Mrs.  Louise  B.  More's  investigations  in  1906  pointed  to  "at 
least  $728  a  year";  and  the  special  committee  of  the  New  York  State 
iConference  of  Charities  and  Corrections  reported  in  1907  that  a  con- 
servative estimate  was  that  "$825  is  sufficient  for  the  average  family  of 
five  individuals";  .Prof.  J.  C.  Kennedy's  investigations  of  the  families 
of  stockyard  workers  in  Chicago  caused  him  to  conclude  that  no  family 
of  five  could  "live  decently  and  efficiently  in  the  stockyards  district 
on  less  than  $800  a  year." 


('")  A  family  of  five  persons — father,  mother,  and  three  dependent  children, 

(11)  R.  C.  Chapin:  Standard  of  Living  in  New  York  City;  L.  B.  More:  Wage-Earners*  Budgets; 
New  York  State  Conference  of  Charities  and  Corrections  committee  on  standards  of  living;  M.  Byington: 
The  Households  of  a  Mill  District;  Fourth  Annual  Report  of  the  New  York  State  Factory  Investigating 
Commission,  Vol.  IV;  New  York  City  Bureau  of  Standards:  Report  on  the  Cost  of  Living  for  an  unskilled 
Laborer's  Family. 


172                                                    BUDGETARY   STUDIES.                                                          ' 

ESTIMATES  OF  ANNUAL  COST  OF  LIVING  FOR  WAGE-WORKERS'  FAMILIES  IN  NEW- 
YORK  CITY.  BUFFALO.  CHICAGO.  AND  WASHINGTON.  BASED  ON  FAMILIES  OF 

FIVE  PERSONS. 

Items  of  expenditure. 

New  York 

City 

Bureau  of 

Standards. 

(c) 

New  York 

City 
Fac.  Inv. 

Com. 
(a) 

Buffalo. 

N.  Y. 

Fac.  Inv. 

Com. 

(a) 

Chicago 

Street 

Railway 

Employes. 

(b) 

Washing- 
ton. D.  C. 
A.  F.  of  L. 
Com. 
(d) 

Food 

$380.00 

168.00 

42.00 

104.00 

30.30 

22.80 

20.00 

18.00 

5.00 

40.00 

10.00 

$325.00 

200.00 

20.00 

140.00 

31.20 

35.60 

22  00 

7.00 

5.63 

50.00 

40.00 

$281.00 

120.00 

40.00 

140.00 

31.20 

35.60 

22.00 

7.00 

5.63 

50.00 

40.00 

$529.13 

240.00 

86.00 

167.25 

26.00 

20.00 

20.00 

65.50 

3.00 

7.50 

45  50 

$274.00 

240.00 

49.00 

153.00 

*'35'.66 

"isioo 

Rent 

Fuel  and  light 

Clothing 

Car  fare 

Insurance 

Health 

Furnishings 

Newspapers 

Recreation  and  amusements 

Miscellaneous 

Total  annual 

$840.18 

$876.43 

$772.43 

$1,209.88 

$766.00 

Average  weekly 

$16.15 

$16.85 

$14.85 

$23.24 

$14.73 

(a)  Fourth  Annual  Report  of  the  New  York  Factory  Investigating  Commission,  1915,  Vol.  IV,  p.  1668, 

(b)  American  Federationist.  October.  1915.  p.  837. 

(c)  Report  on  the  Cost  of  Living  for  an  Unskilled  Laborer's  Family  in  New  York  City,  submitted  by 
the  (New  York  City)  Bureau  of  Standards. 

(d)  This  estimate  wa"  presented  by  Arthur  E.  Holder,  of  the  legislative  committee  of  the  American 
Federation  of  Labor,  in  support  of  the  Nolan  bill  for  a  $3-a-day  minimum  wage  for  government  employes, 
at  a  hearing  of  the  Committee  on  Labor,  held  on  March  21.  1916.  Mr.  Holder  stated  that  $766  would 
"simply  purchase  a  bare  subsistence,"  and  is  'much  below  a  decent  living  standard."  "You  will  observe 
that  I  have  tabooed  every  form  of  "luxury."  he  was  quoted  as  commenting.  "Receiving  $765.95  a  year, 
there  could  be  no  riding  on  street  cars  for  this  workingman's  family,  no  tobacco,  no  candy,  no  books,  no 
Sunday  school  contributions,  nothing  for  the  church;  no  newspapers,  no  movies,  no  lodge  dues,  no  insur- 
ance, no  postage  stamps  and  no  doctor's  bills — for,  of  course,  on  the  "substantial"  diet  purchased  for 
75  cents  a  day.  a  family  of  five  would  run  no  chance  of  ever  getting  sick.  Moreover,  the  family  must 
remain  stationary — no  births,  no  deaths,  no  accidents,  no  medicines,  no  doctors.  In  regard  to  75  cents 
a  day  for  food  for  a  family  of  five,  if  there  is  a  woman  in  the  District  of  Columbia  who  can  buy  the  food 
for  that  family  with  75  cents,  I  will  take  off  my  hat  to  her  as  the  greatest  financier  in  America." 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES.  173 

The  Pittsburgh  Survey's  investigations  in  1907  and  1908  concluded 
that  $1,291  was  a  sufficient  family  income,  but  $200  more  was  allowed 
for  "sundries"  than  is  usually  allowed  in  other  estimates. 

It  seems  hardly  necessary  to  resort  to  scientifically  ascertained  facts 
as  to  actual  living  conditions  to  determine  that  $800,  in  round  numbers, 
is  about  as  little  as  the  ordinary  family  can  live  on  if  it  lives  healthfully, 
comfortably  and  efficiently.  A  glance  at  actual  expenses  for  unques- 
tionable necessaries  should  be  sufficient.  It  must  be  very  evident  that 
the  family  of  average  size  living  in  the  average  industrial  town,  with  an 
income  of,  say,  $800 — if  it  must  spend  $650  or  $700  for  food,  rent,  cloth- 
ing, and  fuel  and  light — can  have  very  little  surplus  for  savings  or  ex- 
,  traordinary  expenditures.  Out  of  what  is  left  "must  come  the  funds 
for  amusements  and  recreation,  books,  papers  and  magazines,  lodge  and 
union  dues,  benefit  and  insurance  premiums,  sickness,  upkeep  of  house- 
hold and  kitchen  furnishings,  and  the  hundred-and-one  incidental  ex- 
j^enditures  that  are  common  even  to  the  most  frugal  households.  A 
death  in  the  family  is  a  heavy  expense;  the  birth  of  an  additional 
member  of  the  family  is  a  cause,  not  only  of  lessened  family  income  in 
families  where  the  wife  is  a  wage-earner,  but  also  of  immediate  expense 
and  the  promise  of  increasing  cost  in  the  future.  For  we  are  speaking 
of  the  'average'  family  with  an  income  of  $700  to  $800  a  year,  which 
is  considered  adequate  if  everything  'goes  right. '  But  sometimes  things 
go  wrong.'  "  (^^) 

The  Workingman^s  Family  and  Higher  Living  Costs. — No  definite 
conception  of  the  adequacy  of  wages  and  of  family  income  is  possible, 
of  course,  without  taking  into  consideration  the  increase  in  the  cost  of 
living  since  1900.  There  has  been  a  great  deal  of  the  discussion  of  the 
"race"  between  wages  and  living  costs,  but,  because  of  the  lack  of  com- 
prehensive and  exact  statistics,  the  most  that  can  be  said  is  that  indica- 
tions point  to  an  extremely  close  race.  It  is  manifestly  unfair,  as  some 
statisticians  have  done,  to  measure  wages  in  terms  of  retail  food  prices 
alone  without  determining  whether  the  retail  prices  of  other  articles,  of 
services,  and  of  rent,  have  advanced  as  rapidly.  At  the  same  time,  since 
expenditures  for  food  constitute  nearly  half  of  the  total  expenditures 
of  wage-working  families,  it  is  proper  to  conclude  that  a  60  per  cent 
increase  in  the  retail  prices  of  the  principal  foods  must  entail  sacrifices 
either  in  diet  or  in  other  lines  of  expenditure,  or  in  both,  unless  wages 
have  advanced  to  an  equal  degree.  It  appears  to  be  very  plain  that  in 
only  a  few  occupations  and  trades  has  there  been  as  much  as  a  60  per 
cent  wage  increase  since  1900. 

Whether  average  wages  have  or  have  not  actually  kept  up  with  the 
total  cost  of  maintaining  the  wage-worker's  family  is  of  scarcely  less 
importance  than  two  other  considerations.  One  is  that  the  family  with 
an  income  of,  say,  $650,  which  was  found  adequate  to  make  ends  meet 
in  1900,  can  not  ordinarily  make  ends  meet  now,  and  there  are  many 
such  families  with  equally  as  great  demands  and  necessities  as  then. 
Even  though  the  average  family  may,  because  of  increases  in  wages' 
and  of  the  employment  of  its  women  and  children,  have  kept  its  income 
apace  with  the  advancing  cost  of  living,  the  pressure  of  higher  living  cost 


(12)  B.  S.  Warren  and  Edgar  Sydenstricker:    Health  Insurance — Its  Relation  to  the  Public  Health, 
Bulletin  76  of  the  U.  S.  Public  Health  Service,  March,  1916. 


174  BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 

Still  falls  heavily  upon  those  who  are  below  the  average.  The  other  con- 
sideration  is  that  the  social  standard  of  minimum  subsistence  has  become 
more  costly.  New  desires  and  new  wants  have  been  created,  and  it  is 
impossible  to  assume  that  the  wage-working  family  has  not  been  affected 
in  much  the  same  way  as  the  family  of  the  business  man,  the  banker,  the 
office  worker,  or  even  the  farmer.  Certain  changes  in  the  manner  of 
living  have  occurred  that  probably  the  wage-working  family,  as  well  as 
any  other  family,  could  well  do  without;  there  are  other  changes,  how- 
ever, which  have  been  brought  about  in  response  to  those  wants  whose 
creation  has  been  the  mark  of  advancing  civilization.  Good  or  bad, 
changes  in  the  customs  and  manner  of  living  can  not  be  overlooked 
in  considering  the  question  of  adequacy  of  wages  and  family  income. 
They  are  social  products  for  which  we  can  blame  the  wage-working 
population  least  of  all.  The  fact  which  is  of  distinct  pertinence  here  is 
that  even  if  the  levels  of  prices  and  wages  had  remained  without  change 
since  1900,  the  cost  of  living  would  have  increased,  because  the  social 
standard  of  living  has  become  more  expensive.  To  live  adequately 
to-day  costs  more  than  it  did  even  ten  or  fifteen  years  ago,  not  simply 
because  prices  have  gone  up,  but  because  our  standards  of  health, 
comfort,  and  efficiency  are  more  exacting,  to  say  nothing  of  the  cost  of 
satisfying  those  new  desires  which  we  might  do  without. 

Aside  from  these  considerations,  however,  the  facts,  so  far  as  they  are 
available  from  statistical  sources,  of  higher  living  costs  in  relation  to 
wages  and  income  deserve  to  be  mentioned  because  of  their  importance 
in  throwing  light  on  present  conditions.  The  statistics  of  full-time 
weekly  wages  furnished  for  a  number  of  trades  and  industries  by  the 
Federal  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  appear  to  indicate  that  up  to  1915 
the  average  increase  has  been  between  25  and  30  per  cent  since  1900.   C^) 


(13)  See  the  discussion  by  I.  M.  Rubinow,  Chief  Statistician  of  the  Ocean  Accident  and  Guarantee 
Corporation:     The  Trend  of  Real  Wages,  American  Economic  Review,  Dec,  1914,  pp.  793-817. 

The  wage  statistics  used  by  Dr.  Rubinow  in  his  computation  are  those  regularly  published  in  the  re- 
tail price  bulletins  of  the  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  and  cover  cotton  goods,  woolen  goods,  silk,  boots  and 
shoes,  knit  goods,  lumber,  millwork,  furniture,  building  trades,  bakers,  marble  and  stone  cutting,  foundry 
and  machine  shops  and  printing. 


BUDGETARY    STUDIES. 


175 


These  figures  are  possibly  too  high,  since  the  statistics  may  include 
a  disproportionate  number  of  well-unionized  skilled  trades  whose  wage 
rates  have  advanced  more  rapidly  than  those  of  unskilled  occupations. 
In  contrast  may  be  presented  statistics  of  prices.  Unfortunately, 
statistics  of  retail  prices  are  available  only  for  foods  (^*),  but  at  least 
some  idea  of  the  advance  in  prices  of  other  articles  may  be  gained  from 
the  wholesale  price  statistics  furnished  by  various  governmental  and 
commercial  authorities.  Selecting  the  statistics  for  those  items  of  ex- 
penditure which  we  have  seen  to  be  the  principal  necessaries,  the  ad- 
winces  in  prices  from  1900  to  1913  may  be  roughly  stated  as  follows: 


Item. 


Food,  retail  (a) 

Food ,  wholesale 

Clothing  (and  cloth),  wholesale 

Fuel,  retail  (coal,  1907-1913) 

Fuel  and  lighting,  wholesale 

Housing,  wholpsale  prices  of  lumber  and  building  materials 

Wages  of  building  labor 

Household  furnishings,  wholesale ^ 


Per  cent 
of  increase 
1900-1913 


62 

31-52 

16-20 

5-10 

17 

31 

45 

11 


The  increased  cost  of  maintaining  the  wage-working  family  can  not, 
of  course,  be  stated  definitely  on  the  basis  of  such  statistics  as  the  above, 
but  a  suggestive  illustration  is  pertinent: 

The  extensive  budgetary  investigation  of  workingmen's  families  con- 
ducted by  the  Federal  Bureau  of  Labor  in  1901  (^^) — before  the  advance 
in  prices  began  to  be  markedly  evident — found  that  the  "normal" 
family  was  able  to  subsist  and  even  have  savings  upon  an  income  of 
between  $600  and  $700  a  year,  according  to  the  standard  of  living  then 
existing.  (^^)  The  average  family  in  that  range  of  annual  income  was 
found  to  have  an  expenditure  of  $612  for  all  purposes  at  prices  then  pre- 
vailing. This  amount  was  found  to  be  spent  approximately  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner: 


I 


Item. 

Amount. 

Per  cent 

of  total 

expenditure. 

Food 

$266 

113 

35 

79 

119 

43.5 
18.5 
6.0 
13.0 
20.0 

Rent 

Fuel  and  light 

Clothing 

( 1  *)  See  Bulletins  of  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  on  Retail  Prices  of  Foods. 

(a)  Retail  price  data  exist  for  only  food  and  coal,  and  are  supplied  by  the  records  of  the  Federal 
Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics.  For  the  other  items  only  wholesale  price  data  are  available,  and  are  there- 
fore not  adequately  indicative  of  the  full  extent  of  their  advance  in  the  prices  paid  by  the  ultimate 
consumer.  The  wholesale  price  data  are  supplied  by  the  Federal  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  Brad- 
street's,  R.  G.  Dun  &  Company,  the  New  York  Times  Annalist,  and  Thomas  Gibson.  Where  two 
figures  are  given  in  the  summary  for  one  item,  the  minimum  and  maximum  results,  as  shown  by 
different  authorities,  are  indicated. 

( 1 6)  See  Eighteenth  Annual  Report  of  the  U.  S.  Commissioner  of  Labor,  1903. 

(17)  By  "normal"  family  was  meant  the  family  in  which  the  man  is  the  bread-winner  and  the  wife 
non-wage-eaming,  and  the  children  under  fourteen  years  of  age  and  dependent. 


176 


BUDGETARY   STUDIES. 


Applying  the  percentages  of  increase  in  the  various  items  of  expendi- 
ture, what  would  the  same  family  have  required  to  maintain  the  same 
standards  in,  say  1913,  as  it  did  before  the  great  price  advance  began? 

Wherever  retail  price  date  are  available,  they  may,  of  course,  be  used. 
In  the  case  of  wholesale  price  date,  it  seems  to  be  conservative  to  use 
the  highest  percentages  computed  from  the  various  wholesale  price 
authorities.  In  the  case  of  rent,  35  is  used  as  the  percentage  of  increase, 
taking  into  consideration  both  the  higher  cost  of  building  materials  and 
the  higher  labor  cost.  This  seems  to  be  very  conservative  in  the  light 
of  statistics  of  actual  rent  increases  for  shorter  periods  than  the  1900- 
1913  period. 

Upon  this  conservative  basis,  the  following  results  appear  (see  table 
below) . 

Allowing  for  no  increase  in  the  cost  of  the  "sundries"  actually  bought 
or  necessitating  expenditures,  and  for  no  increase  in  the  number  of  "sun-f 
dry"  expenditures  to  meet  the  broadened  and  greater  variety  of  wants  inf 
1913,  as  compared  with  1900,  the  cost  of  maintaining  a  family  according 
to  the  same  standard  now  as  then  would  have  been  over  $200  greater, 
or  an  increase  of  35  per  cent. 


Item  of  expenditure. 

Amount 
expended 
in  1900. 

Increase 
in  price. 

Amount 
necessary 
in  1913. 

Food          

$266 

113 

35 

79 

119 

62 

35 

17 

8 

$430  (a) 

152 

41 

85 

119 

Rent 

Fuel  and  light 

Clothing 

Sundries. 

Total 

$612 

$827 

(a)  It  is  significant  to  note  that  the  United  States  Public  Health  Service  paid  about  35  cents  a  day  for 
a  well-balanced  ration  sufficient  to  supply  an  adult  male  with  3,000  to  3,500  calories  a  day  for  its  marine 
hospital  employes,  etc.,  in  1914.  On  this  basis,  the  annual  cost  of  food  for  a  family  as  defined  above  (3.3 
adult  male  units),  would  be  approximately  $420  a  year.  The  cost  of  the  United  States  Public  Health 
Service  ration  was  based  on  retail  prices  prevailing  during  the  year,  and  the  food  was  purchased  under 
annual  contract.  The  contract  prices  would  be  somewhat  lower  than  ordinary  retail  prices,  but  the  quality 
of  food  was  of  the  best  grades.     Hence  the  figure,  $430,  is  believed  to  be  conservative. 


BUDGETARY  STUDIES.  177 

16.—C0ST  OF  BREAD  AMONG  THE  WORKERS. 

^.Memorandum  hy  Frances  Stern,  Author  of.  -*iFx)od  for ihe-Workert-*-*- 
Associated  with  U.  S.  Food  Administration. 

(From  the  minutes  of  the  Committee  on  Prices,  August  27-25>,  Wi7.) 

The  work  with  the  people  of  the  crowded  district  of  Boston,  and  my 
association  with  them  previous  to  the  war,  has  led  to  serious  thinking 
and  many  conferences  with  them  since  the  increased  cost  of  food,  due  to 
war  conditions.  The  cry  on  every  side  is  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
live,  and  that  every  luxury — such  as  cake  perhaps  once  a  week — must 
be  cut  out.  They  complain  a  great  deal  of  their  necessity  of  life — 
flour  and  bread. 

In  the  book,  "Food  for  the  Worker,"  seven  weeks'  menus  have  been 
very  carefully  worked  out  relative  to  food  values  and  costs,  and  the 
cost  of  bread  in  that  seven  weeks  of  the  total  supply,  which  amounts  to 
$53.11,  is  about  25  per  cent  of  the  total.  These  menus  have  been  care- 
fully worked  over  by  experts  in  nutrition  and  people  familiar  with  the 
habits  of  the  people  for  whom  they  were  intended.  Variety  has  been 
given,  and  as  much  meat  and  vegetables  as  the  purse  would  allow;  and 
yet  to  make  the  necessary  requirements  of  food  values,  bread  to  the 
amount  as  heretofore  stated  would  have  to  be  25  per  cent.     (Page  119). 

In  another  group  of  flexible  menus  where  difi"erent  types  of  meals  were 
planned,  from  the  simplest  to  the  elaborate,  it  was  interesting  to  note  that 
from  twice  to  three  times  as  much  bread  was  needed  with  the  simple 
meal  as  with  the  elaborate  one.  Which  again  leads  us  to  see  that  people 
living  on  the  one-piece  meal  must  have  bread  to  make  up  the  required 
food  value.  It  is  desirable  for  them  from  many  points  of  view:  cost, 
ease  in  cooking,  habit,  nutrition,  and  a  safe  food  for  children. 

On  page  22  of  "Food  for  the  Worker,"  the  following  statement  is 
made: 

"It  has  been  estimated  that  between  $800  and  $900  a  year  is  the  mini- 
mum figure  at  which  a  decent  and  efficient  standard  of  living  can  be 
maintained  for  the  typical  family  of  five. 

"In  a  recent  study  by  Schereschewsky,  it  was  found  that  in  the  group 
whose  income  was  $500  or  less,  under-nourishment  and  sickness  were 
twice  as  great  as  in  the  groups  earning  $700  to  $900.  An  average  wage 
of  an  unskilled  laborer  is  $12  per  week,  or  $624  per  year,  if  he  is  con- 
tinuously employed.  The  man  who  earns  this  income,  however,  is  on 
the  average  unemployed  eight  weeks  out  of  the  fifty-two.  This  period 
of  unemployment  without  pay  reduces  his  annual  income  to  $528.  The 
cost  of  our  menu  is  $364  a  year — an  extremely  conservative  estimate. 
Lower  estimates  are  possible,  but  fail  to  allow  for  one  of  our  essential 
considerations — variety.  The  cost  of  our  menu  is  65  per  cent  of  an 
income  of  $528  per  annum,  and  if  we  allow  $144  per  year  for  rent,  a 
fair,  ayeragej  only  $20  remains  for  all  other  needs  of  life  for  the  family 
of  five^  such  as  fuel,  light,  clothing,  car  fares,  insurance,  medicine,  and 
recreation." 


178 


BUDGETARY  STUDIES. 


PROPOIOTOH  OP  BREAD  IN  MENUS  OF  RICH  AND  POOR. 
DINNERS. 


1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

i 

6. 

Soup. 

Beef  soup 
with   vege- 
tables. 

Meat. 

1  Slice 
Roast 

1  Slice 
Roast 

1  Slice 
Roast 

1  Slice 
Roast 

Chicken 

Gravy. 

Brown. 

Brown. 

VcKetable— 
starchy. 

1  baked 
potato 

1  baked 
piotato. 

1  baked 
potato. 

: 

Rice. 

Rice. 

Vegetable— 
gtintn. 

Beets 
butter. 

String 
beans 
butter. 

2H.  T. 

Cauliflower 
creamed. 

Lima  beans 
and  toma- 
toes. 

Lima  beans 
and  toma- 
toes. 

Lima  beans 
and  toma-    . 
toes.              i 

Salad. 

Tomato 
and  lettuce. 

Tomato 
and  lettuce. 

Lettuce. 

Dessert. 

Dessert. 

Dessert. 

Prune  jelly 
and  sauce. 

Dessert. 

Dessert. 

Dessert. 

Bread. 

1  slice. 

2  slices. 

1  slice. 

1  slice. 

K  slice. 

2  slices. 

Butter. 

1370 

Kt. 
1323 

K  t.=K  oz. 

1329 

Kt. 

1301 

1  t. 
1324 

1302 

BREAKFASTS 


A. 

B. 

C. 

D. 

E. 

F. 

G. 

Bread. 

3  slices. 

2  slices. 

2K  slices. 

IK  slices. 

IK  slices. 

2  slices. 

1  slice. 

Butter. 

4t. 

2  t. 

3  t. 

2t. 

2  t. 

2  t. 

2t. 

Beverages 
with  milk  and 
sugar. 

Coffee 
1  cup. 

Coffee 
1  cup. 
Fried 
potatoes. 

Milk 
1  cup. 

Milk 
1  cup. 

Coffee 
1  cup. 

Coffee 
1  cup. 

Coffee. 
1  cup. 

Cereal  with 
milk  and  sugar. 

4t. 

1  cup. 

1  cup. 

1  cup. 

U^cup. 

Fru?t. 

Baked 

Apple. 

Raw. 

Berries. 

Eggs. 

2 

Meat. 

2  chops. 

CHAPTER  IV 

BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  PUBLICATIONS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 
BUREAU  OF  LABOR  STATISTICS. 

Cost  of  living: 

*First  Annual  Report.     1886.     Industrial  depressions:  Appendix  B. 
Earnings  and  expenses  of  wage  receivers  in  Europe,  pp.  411-456. 

♦Sixth  Annual  Report.     1890.     Cost  of  production:     Iron,  steel,  coal, 
etc.     Cost  of  living,  pp.  605-1376. 

Seventh  Annual  Report.     1891.     Cost  of  Production:    The  textiles 
and  glass.     Part  III.     Cost  of  living,  pp.  845-2013. 

*Bul.  8,  January,  1897.     Retail  prices  of  principal  foods  in  Belgium, 
February  29,  1896,**  pp.  78,  79.. 

*Bul.  18,  September,  1898. 

Mechanics  and  workingmen's  returns.     Wisconsin,  1895,**  pp. 

704,  705. 
Workingmen's  wages  and  budgets  in  1853  and  1891,  Belgium,** 

pp.  708-713. 

Bui.  34,  May,  1901.     Labor  conditions  in  Porto  Rico,  pp.  401-407, 
413-424. 

Bui.  35,  July,  1901.     Statistics  of  wage  earners  in  Colorado,  1899,** 
p.  781. 

*Bul.   37,   November,   1901.     Average  yearly  earnings  and  cost  of 
living  of  working  people,  Maine,  1900,**  pp.  1171,  1172. 

Bui.  3S,  January,  1902.     Labor  conditions  in  Mexico,  by  Walter  E. 
Weyl,  pp.  70-73. 

*1902.     First  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Labor  on  Hawaii,  1901 
(S.  Doc.  No.  169,  56th  Cong.,  1st  sess.),  pp.  99-112,  241-253. 

Bui.  41,  July,  1902.     Labor  conditions  in  Cuba,  by  Victor  S.  Clark, 
pp.  677-684,  740-748. 

Eighteenth  Annual  Report.     1903.     Cost  of  living  and  retail  prices 
of  food. 

*Bul.  46,  May,  1903.     Report  of  the  Anthracite  Coal  Strike  Com- 
mission, pp.  623-626. 

1903.     Second  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Labor  on  Hawaii,  1902 
(S.  Doc.  No.  181,  57th  Cong.,  2d  sess.),  pp.  222-228. 

Bui.  47,  July,  1903.    Second  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Labor  on 
Hawaii,  pp.  896-902. 

*Bul.  48,  September,  1903.     Negroes  of  Xenia,  Ohio:  A  social  study, 
by  Richard  R.  Wright,  jr.,  pp.  1036-1038. 


♦Supply  exhausted.        ♦♦Digest  of  State  or  Foreign   itport. 

17P 


180  BIBLIOGRAPHY.  * 

Cost  of  Living — Continued. 

*Bul.  49,  November,  1903. 

Analysis  of  eighteenth  annual  report,  cost  of  living  and  retail 

prices  of  food,  pp.  1137-1141. 
Massachusetts,  1902,**  pp.  1350,  1351. 
Bui.  53,  July,  1904.     Wages  and  cost  of  living,  pp.  704-712. 
*Bul.  54,  September,  1904.     Cost  of  living  and  retail  prices  in  the 
United  States,  by  G.  W.  W.  Hanger,  pp.  1129-1164. 

*Bul.  56,  January,  1905.  Labor  conditions  in  Australia,  by  Victor  S. 
Clark,  pp.  229-241. 

Bui.  58,  May,  1905.     Labor  conditions  in  the  Philippines,  by  Victor 
S.  Clark,  pp.  838-842. 

Bui.  58,  May,  1905.     Labor  conditions  in  Java,  by  Victor  S.  Clark, 
pp.  943-946. 

*Bul.  59,  July,  1905. 

Retail  prices  of  food,  1890  to  1904,  pp.  148-301. 
Railroad  employes,  Austria,  1898,**  p.  330. 

*Bul.  61,  November,  1905.  Labor  conditions  in  Porto  Rico,  by  Wal- 
ter E.  Weyl,  pp.  776-778. 

*Bul.  64,  May,  1906.  Conditions  of  living  among  the  poor  (District 
of  Columbia),  by  S.  E.  Forman,.pp.  598-617,  634-698. 

*Bul.  65,  July,  1906.     Retail  prices  of  food,  1890  to  1905,  pp.  170-316. 

1906.     Third  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Labor  on  Hawaii,  1905 

(H.  Doc.  No.  580,  59th  Cong.,  1st  sess.),  pp.  110-119,  309-317. 

*Bul.  66,  September,  1906.  Third  report  of  the  Commissioner  of 
Labor  on  Hawaii,  pp.  467-476,  663-671. 

*Bul.  71,  July,  1907.     Retail  prices  of  food,  1890  to  1906,  pp.  175-328. 

*Bul.  73,  November,  1907. 

New  Jersey,  1906,**  p.  992. 
Washington,  1906,**  p.  996. 

*Bul.  77,  July,  1908. 

Wages  and  hours  of  labor  in  manufacturing  industries,  1890  to 

1897,  pp.  1-180, 
Report  of  British  Board  of  Trade  on  cost  of  living  of  the  working 

classes  of  principal  industrial  towns  of  Great  Britain,  1905,** 

pp.  336-354. 

*Bul.  78,  September,  1908.  Report  of  British  Board  of  Trade  on 
cost  of  living  of  the  working  classes  of  the  principal  industrial 
towns  of  the  German  Empire,  1905,**  pp.  523-548. 

Bui.  83,  July,  1909.  Report  of  British  Board  of  Trade  on  cost  of 
living  of  the  working  classes  in  the  principal  industrial  towns  of 
France,  1905,**  pp.  66-87. 
*Bul.  87,  March,  1910.  Report  of  British  Board  of  Trade  on  cost  of 
living  of  the  working  classes  in  the  principal  industrial  towns  of 
Belgium,  1908,**  pp.  608-625. 


♦Supply  for  distribution  exhausted.         **Digest  of  State  or  Foreign  report. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  181 

Cost  of  Living — Continued. 

Bui.  88,  May,  1910.  Report  of  Imperial  Statistical  Office  of  Ger- 
many on  cost  of  living  of  families  of  moderate  income  in  Germany 
in  1907-1908,**  pp.  697-794. 

*1910.     Increase  in  cost  of  food  and  other  products  (12  tables)  (S. 
Doc.  No.  349,  61st  Cong.,  2d  sess.). 

*Bul.  93,  March,  1911. 

Report  of  British  Board  of  Trade  on  cost  of  living  in  principal 

industrial  cities  in  the  United  States,  1909,**  pp.  500-556. 
Reports  of  British  Board  of  Trade  on  cost  of  living  in  England 

and    Wales,    Germany,    France,    Belgium,    and    the    United 

States,  1908-1911,**  pp.  557-570. 

*1911.     Fourth  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Labor  on  Hawaii, 
1910  (S.  Doc.  No.  866,  61st  Cong.,  3d  sess.),  pp.  103.,  104,  128-141. 

*Bul.  94,  May,  1911.     Fourth  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Labor  on 
Hawaii,  pp.  764,  765,  786-799. 

*1912.     Strike  of  textile  workers  in  Lawrence,  Massachusetts,  1912  (S 
Doc.  No.  870,  62d  Cong.,  2d  sess.),  pp.  165-186,  486-491. 

*Bul.  105,  August  23,  1912. 

*Retail  prices,  1890  to    1911.     Part  I. 

*Retail  prices,  1890  to  1911.     Part  II.     General  tables. 

Bui.  106,  August  28,  1912. 

*Retail  prices,  1890  to  1912.     Part  I. 
Retail  prices,  1890  to  1912.     Part  II.     General  tables. 

Bui.  108,  October  1,  1912.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  August,  1912. 

Bui.  110,  December  4,  1912.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  October,  1912. 

*1910-1912.     Report  on  condition  of  woman  and  child  wage  earners 

in  the  United  States  (S.  Doc.  No.  645,  61st  Cong.,  2d  sess.). 
*Vol.  XVI.     Family  budgets  of  typical  cotton  mill  workers. 
Bui.  113,  March  18,  1913.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  December,  1912. 
.Bui.  115,  April  8,  1913.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  February,  1913. 
Bui.  121,  May  14,  1913.     Sugar  prices,  from  refiner  to  consumer,  by 
N.  C.  Adams. 

Bui.  125,  June  28,  1913.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  April,  1913. 
*Bul.  130,  August  15,  1913.     Wheat  and  flour  prices,  from  farmer  to 
consumer,  by  J.  Chester  Bowen. 

Bui.  132,  August  15,  1913.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  June,  1913. 

Bui.  136,  September  15,  1913.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  August,  1913. 

Bui.  138,  December  1,  1913.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  October,  1913. 

Bui.  140,  February  10,  1914.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  December,  1913. 

Bui.  156,  March,  1915.     Retail  prices,  1907  to  December,  1914. 

Bui.  164,  November  30,  1914.  Butter  prices,  from  producer  to  con- 
sumer, by  Newton  H.  Clark. 

Bui.  170,  May,  1915,     Foreign  food  prices  as  affected  by  the  war. 

*SuppIy  for  distribution  exhausted.        **Digest  of  State  or  Foreign  report. 


1.82  BIBUOGRAPHY. 


Wholesale  prices : 

*BuI.  27,  March,  1900.    Wholesale  prices,  189Q  to  1899,  by  Roland 

P.  Falkner,  pp.  237^313. 
Bui.  39,  March,  1902.     Course  of  wholesale  prices,  189Q  to  1901, 

pp.  195-485. 
Bui.  45,  March,  1903.    Course  of  wholesale  prices,  1890  tx>  1902, 

pp.  203-356. 

*Bul.  51,  March,  1904.     Course  of  wholesale  prices,  1890  to  1903, 

pp.  219^379. 
*Bul.  54,  September,  1904.     Wholesale  prices  in  the  United  States, 

1890  to  1903,  by  G.  W.  W.  Hanger,  pp.  1165-1186. 
*Bul.  57,  March,  1905.     Course  of  wholesale  prices.     1890  to  1904, 

pp.  389-549.    . 
*Bul.  63,  March,  1906.     Course  of  wholesale  prices,  1890  to  1905, 

pp.  338-502. 
Bui.  69,  March,  1907.     Wholesale  prices,  1890  to  1906,  pp.  239-420. 
*Bul  75,  March,  1908.     Wholesale  prices,  1890  to  1907,  pp.  283-471. 
*Bul.  81,  March,  1909.     Wholesale  prices,  1890  to  1908,  pp.  195-382. 
*Bul.  87,  March,  1910.    Wholesale  prices,  1890  to  March,  1910,  pp. 

377-582 
*Bul.  93,  March,  1911.     Wholesale  prices,  1890  to  1910,  pp.  309-499. 
Bui.  99,  March,  1912. 

Wholesale  prices,  1890  to  1911,  pp.  501-692. 
Wholesale  prices  in  Canada,  1890  to  1911,**  pp.  693-695. 
*1913.     Increase   in   prices   of   anthracite   coal   following   the  wage 
agreement  of  May  20,  1912  (H.  Doc.  No.  1442,  62d  Cong.,  3d  sess.). 
Bui.  114,  April  4,  1913.     Wholesale  prices  (United  States  and  Can- 
ada), 1890  to  1912. 
Bui.  121,  May  14,  1913.     Sugar  prices,  from  refiner  to  consumer,  by 
N.  C.  Adams. 
*Bul.  130,  August  15,  1913.    Wheat  and  flour  prices,  from  farmer  to 

consumer,  by  J.  Chester  Bowen. 
Bui.  149,  May  11,  1914.     Wholesale  prices,  1890  to  1913. 
Bui.  164,  November  30,  1914.     Butter  prices,  from  producer  to  con- 
sumer, by  Newton  H.  Clark. 
Bui.  170,  May,  1915.     Foreign  food  prices  as  affected  by  the  war. 

Retail  prices: 

*Bul.  3,  March,  1896.     Rhode  Island,  1894,**  p.  279. 

*Bul.  8,  January,  1897.     Retail  prices  of  principal  foods  in  Belgium, 
1896,**  pp.  78,  79. 

*BuI.  18,  September,  1898.     Comparative  wages  and  prices  in  Massa- 
chusetts, 1872  to  1897,**  pp.  694-697. 

*1902.     First  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Labor  on  Hawaii,  1901 

(S.  Doc.  No.  169,  57th  Cong.,  1st  sess.),  pp.  97-99,  232-237. 
Eighteenth  Annual  Report.     1903.     Cost  of  living  and  retail  prices 

of  food,  Part  II,  pp.  635-853. 
1903.     Second  report  of  the  Commissioner  of    Labor   on  Hawaii, 
1902  (S.  Doc.  No.  181,  57th  Cong.,  2d  sess.),  pp.  222-228. 


♦Supply  for  distribution  exhausted.        **D»ge9t  of  State  or  Foreign  report. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  183 


Retail  Prices — Continued. 


*-i 


Bui.  47 ^  July,  1903.    Second  report  of  the  Commissiotter  of  Labor 

on  Hawaii,  1902,  pp.  896-902. 
Bui.  54,  September,  1904.     Cost  of  living  and  retail  prices  in  the 

United  States,  by  G.  W.  W.  Hanger,  pp.  1129-1164. 
*BuI.  59,  July,  1905.     Retail  prices  of  food,  1890  to  1904,  pp.  148-301. 
1906.     Third  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Labor  on  Hawaii,  1905 

(H.  Doc.  No.  580,  59th  Cong.,  1st  sess.),  pp.  309-317. 
*BuI.  65,  July,  1906.     Retail  prices  of  food,  1890  to  1905,  pp.  171-316. 
*Bul.  66,  September,   1906.     Third  report  of  the  Commissioner  of 

Labor  on  Hawaii,  pp.  663-671. 
*Bul.  71,  July,  1907.     Retail  prices  of  food,  1890  to  1906,  pp.  175-328. 
*Bul.  77,  July,  1908.     Retail  prices  of  food,  1890  to  1907,  pp.  181-332. 
Bui.  83,  July,  1909.     Cost  of  living  of  the  working  classes  in  the 

principal  industrial  towns  of  France,  1905,**  pp.  71-80. 
Bui.  84,  September,  1909.     Sweden,  1904  to  1907,**  pp.  410,  411. 
*1910.     Increase  in  cost  of  food  and  other  products  (12  tables).     (S. 

Doc.  No.  349,  61st  Cong.,  2d  sess.) 
*Bul.  87,  March,  1910.     Cost  of  living  of  the  working  classes  in  the 

principal  industrial  towns  of  Belgium,  1908,**  pp.  612-619. 
*1911.     Fourth  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Labor  on  Hawaii,  1910 

(S.  Doc.  No.  866,  61st  Cong.,  3d  sess.),  pp.  103,  104,  135-141. 
*Bul.  93,  March,  1911.     Reports  of  British  Board  of  Trade  on  cost 

of  living  in  England  and  Wales,  Germany,  France,  Belgium,  and 

the  United  States,  1908  to  1911,**  pp.  566-569. 
*Bul.  94,  May,  1911.     Fourth  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Labor  on 

Hawaii,  pp.  793-799. 

*1912.     Strike  of  textile  workers  in  Lawrence,  Massachusetts,  in  1912 

(S.  Doc.  No.  870,  62d  Cong.,  2d  sess.),  pp.  165-182. 
*Bul.  105,  August  23,  1912. 

*Retail  prices,  1890  to  1^11.     Part  I. 
*Retail  prices,  1890  to  1911.     Part  H:     General  tables. 
Bui.  106,  August  28,  1912. 

*Retail  prices.  1890  to  June,  1912.     Part  I. 
Retail  prices,  1890  to  June,  1912.     Part  H:     General  tables. 
Bui.  108,  October  1,  1912.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  August,  1912. 
Bui.  110,  December  4,  1912.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  October,  1912. 
*1913.     Increase   in   prices  of  anthracite   coal   following   the  wage 
agreement  of  May  20,  1912  (H.  Doc.  No.  1442,  62d  Cong.,  3d 
sess.),  pp.  67-82. 

Bui.  113,  March  18,  1913.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  December,  1912. 
Bui.  115,  April  8,  1913.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  February,  1913. 
Bui.  121,  May  14,  1913.     Sugar  prices,  from  refiner  to  consumer,  by 

N.  C.  Adams. 
Bui.  125,  June  28,  1913.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  April,  1913. 
*Bul.  130,  August  15,  1913.     Wheat  and  flour  prices,  from  farmer  to 

consumer,  by  J.  Chester  Bowen. 


♦Supply  for  distribution  exhausted.        **Digest  of  State  or  Foreign  report. 


184  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

Bul.  132,  August  15,  1913.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  June,  1913.    ^ 
Bui.  136,  September  15^  1913.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  August,  1913. 
Bul.  138,  December  1,  1913.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  October,  1913. 
Bul.  140,  February  10,  1914.     Retail  prices,  1890  to  December,  1913- 
Bul.  156,  March,  1915.     Retail  prices,  1907  to  December,  1914. 
Bul.  164,  November  30,  1914.     Butter  prices,  frOm  producer  to  con- 
sumer, by  Newton  H.  Clark. 
Bul.  170,  May,  1915.     Foreign  food  prices  as  affected  by  the  war. 
Bul.  197,  Retail  prices,  1907  to  December,  1917  (In  Preparation). 
Bul.  228,  October,  1917.     Retail  prices,  1907  to  1916  (In  Press). 


BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  REFERENCES  TO  COST  OF  LIVING,  FOOD 

CONTROL,  PRICES,  ETC.,  APPEARING  IN  THE  MONTHLY 

REVIEW  OF  THE  BUREAU  OF  LABOR  STATISTICS 

SPECIAL  ARTICLES. 

General. 

United  States. 

Minimum  wage  rate  based  on  cost  of  living  for  unskilled  laborers  of 
New  York  City. 

October,  1915,  pp.  18-21. 
July,  1917,  pp.  138-140. 

Cost  of  living  of  working  women  in  Ohio. 
February,  1916,  pp.  51-56. 

Report  of  New  York  State  Factory  Investigating  Commission.     Cost 
of  Living,  Vol.  IV,  p.  1461. 
February,  1916,  pp.  89-94. 
December,  1915,  p.  76.     (Brief  reference  only.) 

Cost  of  living  in  the  State  of  Washington. 
August,  1916,  pp.  31,  32. 

Cost  of  living  in  Massachusetts. 
June,  1917,  pp.  959,  960. 

Supply  of  food  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 
June,  1917,  pp.  957-959. 

Cost  of  living  in  Dallas,  Texas. 
July,  1917,  pp.  136,  137. 

Establishment  and  operation  of  municipal  public  markets. 
July,  1917,  pp.  131-135. 

Conditions  of  trade  in  food  products. 
August,  1917,  pp.  56-59. 

.  Waste  in  food  distribution  in  New  York . 
September,  1917,  pp.  95-98. 

Organization  under  the  act  to  control  food  and  fuel. 
September,  1917,  pp.  67-71. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  185 

United  States— Continued, 

Progress  of  food  and  fuel  control  in  the  United  States,  etc. 
November,  1917,  pp.  80-91. 
December,  1917,  pp.  95-99. 

Cost  of  living  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 
October,  1917,  pp.  1-17. 
November,  1917,  pp.  1-12. 
December,  1917,  pp.  1-18. 

Foreign  Countries : 

Food  control  in  Germany  and  Great  Britain. 
December,  1917,  pp.  99-101. 

Prices  and  cost  of  living  in  Canada. 
April,  1916,  pp.  51-54. 

Profits  in  food  in  Canada. 
August,  1917,  p.  60. 

Government  control  of  food  supplies  in  European  countries. 
March,  1917,  pp.  390-407. 

Government  control  of  food  supplies  in  France. 
April,  1917,  pp.  525-533. 
June,  1917,  pp.  915-921. 

High  cost  of  living  bonus  in  Germany. 
June,  1917,  pp.  945-949. 

Government  control  of  food  supplies  in  Germany. 
June,  1917,  pp.  921-928. 
July,  1917,  pp.  66-69. 
May,  1917,  pp.  703-727. 

High  cost  of  living  conference  in  Gottenborg,  Sweden,  June,  1917. 
October,  1917,  p.  65. 

Government  control  of  food  supplies  in  Great  Britain. 
June,  1917,  pp.  928-945. 
July,  1917,  pp.  69-78. 

Food  policy  framed  by  national  committee  of  British  workers. 
July,  1917,  pp.  78-80. 

Food  control  in  Great  Britain. 
November,  1917,  pp.  91-104. 

Government  control  of  food  supplies  in  Italy. 
May,  1917,  pp.  727-744. 

Cost  of  living  in  workmen's  families  in  Portugal. 
July,  1917,  pp.  137,  138. 

Minimum  cost  of  living  of  workmen's  families  in  Basle,  Switzerland. 
September,  1917,  pp.  144,  145. 

Cost  of  living  and  the  minimum  wage  in  New  South  Wales. 
February,  1917,  pp.  2%-299. 


186  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

SPECIAL  ARTICLES— PRICES. 

United  States: 

Analysis  and  cost  of  ready-to-serve  foods. 
November,  1916,  pp.  46-48. 

Comparison  of  changes  in  prices  of  wheat  and  flour  and  in  weight  and 
prices  of  bread,  May  to  September,  1916. 
November,  1916,  pp.  41-46. 

Retail  prices  of  anthracite  coal.     Interim  report  of  the  Federal  Trade 
Commission,  May  4,  1917. 
June,  1917,  pp.  949-952. 

Retail  prices  of  bread. 

October,  1916,  pp.  29-31. 

Retail  prices  of  bread  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 
June,  1917,  pp.  954-957. 

Union  wage  scales  and  retail  prices  of  food. 
April,  1917,  pp.  584,  585. 

Foreign  Countries : 

Foreign  food  prices  as  affected  by  the  war. 
July,  1915,  pp.  42-44. 

Increase  in  retail  prices  of  coal  in  Great  Britain. 
July,  1915,  pp.  45-56. 

Increase  of  prices  of  commodities  in  Great  Britain. 
January,  1917,  pp.  51-56. 

Wholesale  prices  in  Great  Britain. 
April,  1917,  pp.  586-588. 

Prices  and  wages  in  India. 

November,  1917,  pp.  75-79. 

Retail  prices  in  the  Scandinavian  capitals. 
August,  1917,  pp.  60-62. 


WHOLESALE  AND  RETAIL  PRICES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES 
AND  FOREIGN  COUNTRIES. 

WHOLESALE. 
United  States: 

Monthly  Review,  February,  1916,  pp.  33,  34. 
September,  1916,  pp.  43-45. 
April,  1917,  pp.  585,  586. 
July,  1917,  pp.  128-131. 
August,  1917,  pp.  54,  55. 
September,  1917,  pp.  91,  92. 
October,  1917,  pp.  57-59. 
December,  1917,  p.  94. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY. 


197 


RETAIL. 


United  States; 


Monthly  Review,  September,  1915,  p.  46. 

October,  1915,  pp.  43,  44. 
February,  1916,  p.  32. 
March,  1916,  pp.  31,  S3. 
April,  1916,  pp.  49-51. 
May,  1916,  pp.  39-41. 
June,  1916,  pp.  42-45. 
July,  1916,  pp.  78-80. 
August,  1916,  pp.  30,  31. 
September,  1916,  pp.  40-42. 
October,  1916,  pp.  28,  29. 
November,  1916,  pp.  38-41. 
December,  1916,  pp.  20-22. 
January,  1917,  pp.  47-51. 
February,  1917,  pp.  240,  243. 
March,  1917,  pp.  385-390. 
April,  1917,  pp.  583,  584. 
May,  1917,  pp.  701-703. 
June,  1917,  pp.  952-954. 
August,  1917,  p.  53. 
September,  1917,  pp.  92-94. 
October,  1917,  pp.  60-64. 
November,  1917,  pp.  67-73. 
December,  1917,  pp.  83-90. 


Foreign  Countries : 

Monthly  Review,  September,  1915,  pp.  46-57. 
December,  1915,  pp.  44-53. 
March,  1916,  pp.  80-85. 
July,  1916,  pp.  80-92. 
November,  1916,  pp.  49-60. 
February,  1917,  pp.  244-251. 
June,  1917,  pp.  961-973. 


WHOLESALE  AND  RETAIL. 


United  States: 


Monthly  Review,  November,  1917,  pp.  73-75. 
December,  1917,  pp.  90-93. 


Foreign  Countries : 

Monthly,  Review,  October,  1915,  pp.  44-49. 


188  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY   OF   OFFICIAL  AND   UNOFFICIAL  REPORTS 
CONTAINING  REFERENCES  TO  COST  OF  LIVING,  FOOD, 

PRICES,  ETC. 

OFFICIAL. 
United  States : 

Department  of  Commerce.     Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Com- 
merce.    Wholesale  prices  of  leading  articles  in  the  United  States 
markets,  January,  1913,  to  December,  1915.     Washington,   1916. 
May,  1916,  p.  89. 

Congress.  Senate:  Hearing  before  Committee  on  Agriculture  and 
Forestry,  relative  to  the  proposal  for  increasing  the  production, 
improving  the  distribution  and  promoting  the  conservation  of  food 
supplies  in  the  United  States.  Washington,  1917.  Part  1,  73  pp. 
Part  2,  198  pp. 
June,  1917,  p.  1030. 

Department  of  Agriculture.     Office  of  Markets  and  Rural  Organiza- 
tion.    Survey  of  typical  co-operative  stores  in  the  United  States. 
Washington,  Nov.  3,  1916.     32  pp. 
January,  1917,  p.  163. 

California.     Industrial  Welfare  Commission.     First  biennial  report, 
1913  to  1914. 
August,  1915,  p.  31. 

New  Jersey.  Department  of  Labor.  Thirty-ninth  annual  report 
of  the  Bureau  of  Industrial  Statistics  for  the  year  ending  October  31, 
1916.     Trenton,  1917,  275  pp. 

December,  1917,  p.  249.  - 

Massachusetts.  (Boston).  City  planning  board.  A  summary  of  the 
market  situation  in  Boston.  Preliminary  report  of  the  market 
advisory  committee,  June,   1915.     Boston,   1916.     175  pp. 

March,  1917,  p.  489.  | 

New  York  City.     Board  of  Estimate  and  Apportionment.     Report  on 
market  system  for  New  York  City,  etc.     121  pp. 
November,  1916,  p.  141. 

Philippine   Islands.     Bureau   of   Labor.     Fourth   annual   report   for 
fiscal  year  ended  June  30,  1913.     Manila,  1913.     73  pp. 
October,  1915,  pp.  89,  90. 

Porto  Rico,  Bureau  of  Labor.  Fifth  annual  report.  San  Juan,  1917. 
34  pp. 

November,  1917,  p.  227. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  189 


Foreign  Countries : 


Australia.     Bureau  of  Census  and  Statistics.     Labor  and  Industrial 
Branch.     Melbourne. 

Report  No.  4:     Review,  August,  1915,  p.  50. 
Report  No.  7:     Review,  December,  1917,  p.  251. 

Australia.     Department  of  Home  Affairs.     Digest  No.  25,  30th  of 
September,  1916.     Melbourne.     275  pp. 
January,  1917,  p.  164. 

Canada.     Board  of  Inquiry  into  the  Cost  of  Living.     Report.     Ot- 
tawa, 1915.     2  vols. 
April,  1916,  p.  97. 

Canada.     Canadian  Food  Bulletin  No.  1.     Oct.  6,  1917.     Ottawa. 
8  pp. 

November,  1917,  p.  230. 

Canada.     Census  and   Statistics  Office.     The   Canada  Year   Book, 

1914.  Ottawa,   1915.     698  pp. 
January,  1916,  p.  69. 

Canada.     Census  and  Statistics  Office.     Year  Book,  1915.     Ottawa 
1916.     707  pp. 
February,  1917.     p.  306. 

Canada.     Department  of  Labor.     Report  for  the  fiscal  year  ending 
March  31,  1916.     Ottawa,  1916.     121  pp. 
January,  1917.     p.  165. 

Canada.     Department  of  Labor.     Wholesale  prices,  Canada,   1914. 
Ottawa,  1915.     259  pp. 

September,  1915.     pp.  66,  67. 

Canada.     Order  of  his  Excellency  the  Administrator  in  Council  of 
the  10th  of  November,  1916,  respecting  the  high  cost  of  living,  as 
amended  by  order  in  council  of  29th  of  November,  1916.     (Ottawa). 
3  pp. 
June,  1917,  p.  1032. 

Canada.     Sixth  annual  report  on  wholesale  prices,   1915.     Ottawa, 
1916.     312  pp. 

November,  1916,  pp.  144,  145. 

Denmark.     Statens  Statistiske  Department.     Statistisk  aarbog,  1915. 
Copenhagen,  1915.     230  pp. 
April,  1916,  p.  97. 

Egypt.     Statistical  Department.     Annuaire  Statistique  de  I'Egypte, 

1915.  Cairo,  1916.     388  pp. 
July,  1916,  p.  162. 

Finland.     Statistiska  Centralbyran.     Statistisk  Arsbok  for  Finland. 
Ny  Serie.     Tolfte  Argangen,  1914.     Helsingfors,  1915.     649  pp. 
September,  1915,  p.  69. 

France.     Bureau  de  la  Statistique  Generale.     Annuaire  Statistique 
Trente-Troisieme  Volume.     1913.     Paris,  1914.     33S,  239  pp. 
September,  1915,  p.  69. 


190  BIBLIOGRAPHY, 


Foreign  Countries — Continued. 


Germany.     (Prussia.)     Statistisches  Landesamt.    Statistisches  Jahr 
buch  fur  den  Preussischen  Staat,   1913.    Vol.   II.     Berlin,   1914 
693  pp. 
April,  1916,  p.  100. 


Germany.     Reich versicherungsamt.     Viertoljahrshefte   zur   Statistik 
des  Deutschen  Reichs.     24  Jahrgang,  1915.     Zweites  Heft.     Mit  11 
Tafeln.     Berlin,  1915.     229  pp. 
December,  1915,  pp.  S5,  86. 

Germany.     (Saxony.)     Statistisches  Landesamt.     Statistisches  Jahr- 
buch  fur  das  Konigreich  Sachsen.     Vol.  42,  1914-1915.     Dresden, 
1915.     362  pp. 
Aprfl,  1916,  p.  101. 

Great  Britain.     Board  of  Education.     Economy  in  food,  etc.     Lon- 
don, 1915.     31  pp. 
January,  1916,  p.  71. 

Great  Britain.     India  Office.     Statistical  abstract  relating  to  British 
India.     1904-5  to  1913-14.     49th  number.     London,  1916.     285  pp. 
June,  1916,  p.  126. 

India.     Statistical    Department.     Prices   and   wages   in   India,    31st 
issue.     Calcutta,  1915.     vi.,  226  pp. 
November,  1915,  pp.  96,  97. 

Italy.  Direzione  Generale  della  Statistica  e  del  Lavoro.  Annuario 
Statistico  Italiano,  anno  1915.  Series  II,  Vol.  5.  Rome,  1916. 
435  pp. 

August,  1917,  p.  199. 

Italy.     Ispettorato    Generale    del     Commercio.     Indici    economici, 
1903  to  1914.     Rome,  1915,  2  Vols. 
April,  1916,  p.  103. 

Japan.     Department  of  Finance.     The  15th  Financial  and  Economic 
Annualof  Japan,  1915.     Tokyo. 
September,  1916,  p.  106. 

New  Zealand.     Board  of  Trade.     Report  on  coal  prices  at  Auckland, 
Wellington,  1916,  3  p. 
December,  1916,  p.  139. 

New  Zealand.     Department  of  Labor.     24th  annual  report,    1915. 
Wellington,  1915. 
January,  1916,  p.  76. 

New  Zealand.     (Registrar  General's  Office.)     Official  year  book,  1916. 
Wellington,  1917.     710  pp. 
August,  1917,  p.  199. 

Norway.     Arbeidskontor.     Statistiske  kontor.     Husholdningeregns- 
kaper  fort  av  endel  mindre  bemidlede  familier  i  Kristiania,  etc. 
Utgit  ved  Kristiania  kommunes  statistiske  kontor.     Christiania, 
1915.     179  pp. 
May,  1916,  p.  97. 


1 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  Wl 

Foreign  Cotintries— -Continued. 

New  Zealand.     Registrar  General's  Office.     Report  on  the  cost  of 
living  in  New  Zealand,  1891  to  1914.    Wellington,  1915,     168  pp. 
February,  1916,  pp.  110,  111. 

Norway.    Statistiske  kontor.     Fortsaetelse  av  special underskelse  nr. 
Ill   angaaende  prisbevaegelsen   paa  livsforndenheter  i   Kristiania 
samt  statistiske  opgaver  angaaende  de  kommunale  funktionaerers 
forsigelsesbyrde.     Christiania,  1916.     24  pp. 
August,  1916,  p.  102. 

Norway.      Statistiske  Centralbyraa.      Husholdningeregnskaper     for 
handelsfunktionaerer  m.  v.  Utgit  av  det  Statistiske  Centralbyraa. 
Christiania,  1915. 
January,  1916,  pp.  78,  79. 

South  Africa.     Director  of  Census.   Statistical  year  book  of  the  Union 
of  South  Africa  containing  statistics  for  the  year  1913-14.     No.  2. 
Pretoria,  1915.     333  pp. 
November,  1915,  pp.  98,  99. 

South  Africa.     Director  of  Census.   Statistical  year  book  of  the  Union 
of  South  Africa.     No.  3,  1914-15.     Pretoria,  1916.     359  pp. 
August,  1916,  p.  103. 

Sweden.  Dyrtidskongre  sen  (Stockholm),  1916.  Kort  redogorelse  for 
anledningarna  till  dyrtidskongressens  hallande,  dess  organisation, 
program  och  deltagare  samt  de  vid  dyrtidskongressen  och  vid 
konferenensen  med  livsmedelsnamndernas  ombud  forda  proto- 
kollen.  (Stockholm,  1917)  165  pp.  . 
October,  1917,  p.  191. 

Sweden.      Socialstyrelsen    Levnadskostnaderha   i   Sverige,    1913-14. 
Del   II.     Lokalmonografier.    1.   Vasteras. 
May,  1917,  pp.  801,  802. 

The  Netherlands.  Centraal  Bureau  voor  de  Statistiek.  Jaarcijfers 
voor  het  Koninkrijk  der  Nederlanden.  1913.  The  Hague,  1914. 
360  pp. 

September,  1915,  p.  74. 

The  Netherlands.  Centraal  Bureau  voor  de  Statistiek.  Jaarcijfers 
voor  het  Koninkrijk  der  Nederlanden  Rijk  in  Europa,  1914.  The 
Hague,  1915.     375  pp. 

September,  1916,  pp.  106,  107. 


UNOFFICIAL. 


Birge,  Wm.  S.     True  food  values  and  their  low  costs,  or  economy  in 
living.      New  York,  Sully  &  Kleinteich,  1916.     218  pp. 

December,  1916,  p.  142. 


192  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

Boucke,  O.  Fred.     Rising  costs  of  living.     George  Ban ta  Publishing 
Co.     Menasha,  Wis.,  1916.     87  pp. 
May,  1917,  p.  803. 
Chance,   Lady.     Housekeeping  on   25s.    ($6.08)   a  week  or   under. 
Published  by  the  National  Food  Economy  League,  London.     16  pp. 
September,  1916,  p.  113. 
Congdon,  Leon  A.     Fight  for  food.     Philadelphia,  Lippincott,  1916, 
207  pp. 

December,  1916,  p.  143. 
Consumers'  League  of  the  District  of  Columbia.     4th  report,  March, 
1915,  to  October,  1916.     40  pp. 
January,  1917,  p.  172. 
Gibbs,  Winifred  Stuart.     The  minimum  cost  of  living.     Macmillan, 
New  York,  1917.     93  pp. 
June,  1917,  1037. 
New  Zealand  Employers'  Federation.     Industrial  bulletin.     Welling- 
ton, April  5,  1917,  Vol.  2,  No.  3. 
August,  1917,  p.  206. 
Rose,  Mary  S.     Feeding  the  family.     New  York,  Macmillan,  1916. 
449  pp. 

December,  1916,  p.  146. 
Stern,  Frances,  and  Spitz,  Gertrude  T.     Food  for  the  worker,  etc. 
Boston,  Whitcomb  &  Barrows,  1917.     131  pp. 
October,  1917,  p.  195. 


PERIODICAL  PUBLICATIONS  LISTED,  CONTAINING  REFER- 
ENCES TO  THE  COST  OF  LIVING,  FOOD  PRICES,  ETC. 

Argentina.     Departmento    Nacional    del    Trabajo.     Boletin.     Buenos 
Aires. 

Apr.  30,  1915 Review,  Oct.,  1915,  p.  106. 

July,  1915 Dec,  1915,  p.  96. 

Australia.     Bureau   of   Census  and   Statistics.     Labor   and   Industrial 
Branch.     Labor  Bulletin.     Melbourne. 

Apr.-June,  1914;  July-Sept.,  1914  Review,  Aug.,  1915,  p.  68. 

Jan.-Mar.,  1915 Dec,  1915,  p.  96. 

July-Sept.,  1915 Apr.,  1916,  p.  109. 

Oct.-Dec,  1915 July,  1916,  p.  165. 

Canada.     Department  of  Labor.     Labor  Gazette.     Ottawa. 

Jan.,  Feb.,  Mar.,  Apr., 

May,  1915 Review,  Aug.,  1915,  pp.  68,  70. 

July,  1915 Sept.,  1915,  p.  80. 

Aug.,  1915 Oct.,  1915,  p.  106. 

Sept.,  1915 Nov.,  1915,  pp.  100,  101. 

Oct.,  1915 .-.-..       Dec,  1915,  p.  96. 

Nov.,  1915 Jan.,  1916,  p.  85. 

Dec,  1915 Feb.,  1916,  p.  115. 

Jan.,  1916 Mar.,  1916,  p.  104. 

Feb.,  1916 Apr.,  1916,  p.  109. 

May,  1916 July,  1916,  p.  165. 

July,  1916 Sept.,  1916,  p.  109. 

Oct.,  1916 Dec,  1916,  p.  138. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  193 


Periodicals — Continued . 


Chile.     Boletin  de  la  Officina  del  Trabajo.    Santiago  de  Chile.    Biennial. 

Second  half,  1914 Review,  Apr.,  1916,  p.  109. 

;    Denmark.     Statistiske  Efterretninger,   udgivet  af  det  statistiske   De- 
I        partement.     Copenhagen. 

Jan.  5  to  June  14,  1915 Review,  Aug.,  1915,  p.  70. 

June  30,  1915 Sept.,  1915,  p.  80. 

July  24,  1915 Oct.,  1915,  p.  107. 

,  Aug.  28,  1915 Nov.,  1915,  p.  101. 

P        Aug.  21,  and  Oct.  2.,  1915 Dec,  1915,  p.  96. 

^        Oct.  30,  1915 Jan.,  1916,  p.  85. 

Dec.  1,  1915 Feb.,  1916,  p.  116. 

Dec.  28,  1915 March,  1916,  p.  104. 

Feb.  25,  1916 Apr.,  1916,  p.  109. 

Apr.  3  and  19,  1916 June,  1916,  p.  130. 

May  26,  1916 Aug.,  1916,  p.  105. 

July  6,  1916 .  Sept.,  1916,  p.  109. 

Finland.     Arbetsstatistisk  Tidskrift  utgifven  af  Industristyrelsen.    Hel- 
singfors. 

No.  4,  1915 Review,  Nov.,  1915,  p.  101. 

No.  5,  1915 Dec,  1915,  p.  96. 

No.  6,  1915 March,  1916,  p.  104. 

France.     Bulletin  du  Ministere  du  travail  et  de  la  Prevoyance  Sociale. 
Paris. 

^Oct.,  Nov.,  Dec,  1914 Review,  Aug.,  1915,  pp.  70,  71. 

Jan.,  Feb.,  Mar.,  Apr.,  1915 Sept.,  1915,  p.  81. 

May,  June,  1915 Dec,  1915,  p.  97. 

July,  Aug.,  1915 Jan.,  1916,  p.  85. 

Sept.,  Oct.,  1915 March,  1916,  p.  104. 

Nov.,  Dec,  1915 May,  1916,  p.  101. 

Jan.,  Feb.,  1916 July,  1916,  p.  165. 

Germany.     Reichsarbeitsblatt,  Herausgegeben  vom  Kaiserlichen  Statis- 
tischen  Amte,  Abteilung  fur  Arbeitanstatistik.     Berlin. 

May,  1915 Review,  Aug.,  1915,  p.  72. 

Aug.,  Sept.,  1915 Nov.,  1915,  p.  101. 

Feb.,  1916 May,  1916,  p.  101. 

Great  Britain.     The  Board  of  Trade  Labor  Gazette.     London. 
Jan.,  Feb.,  Mar.,  Apr., 

May,  1915 Review,  Aug.,  1915,  pp.  72,  73. 

June,  July,  1915 Sept.,  1915,  pp.  81,  82. 

Aug.,  Sept.,  1915 Nov.,  1915,  pp.  101,  102. 

Oct.,  1915 Dec,  1915,  p.  97. 

Nov.,  1915 Jan.,  1916,  p.  86. 

Dec,  1915 Feb.,  1916,  p.  116. 

Jan.,  1916 March,  1916,  p.  105. 

Feb.,  1916 April,  1916,  p.  109. 

March,  1916 May,  1916,  p.  101. 

April,  1916 June,  1916,  p.  130. 

May,  1916 July,  1916,  p.  166. 

June,  1916 Aug.,  1916,  p.  105. 

Aug.,  1916 Oct.,  1916,  p.  102. 


194 


BIBLIOGRAPHY. 


Periodicals — Continued . 

Italy.     Bolletino   dell'    Ufficio   del    Lavoro,    Ministero   di   Agricolturs 
Industria  e  Commercio.     Rome. 

Jan.  1,  Apr.  1,  May  1,  1915 Review,  Aug.,  1915,  p.  74. 

June  1,  July  1,  1915 Sept.,  1915,  p.  82. 

Apr.,  1915,  and  Aug.  1,  Sept.  16, 

1915 Nov.,  1915,  p.  102. 

Oct.  1,  1915 Dec,  1915,  p.  97. 

Nov.  1,  1915 Jan.,  1916,  p.  86. 

Aug.,  1915,  Dec.  1,  1915 Feb.,  1916,  pp.  116,  117. 

Jan.  1,  1916 March,  1916,  p.  105. 

Feb.  1,  1916 April,  1916,  p.  110. 

March  1,  1916 May,  1916,  pp.  101,  102. 

Nov.,  Dec,  1915 June,  1916,  p.  131. 

Apr.  1  and  Apr.  16,  1916 June,  1916,  p.  131. 

Jan.,  Feb.,  1916,  May  1,  1916..  .  .  July,  1916,  p.  166. 

June  1,  1916 Aug.,  1916,  pp.  106,  107. 

June  16,  July  15,  1916 Sept.,  1916,  p.  110. 

Sept.  16,  1916 Dec,  1916,  p.  138. 

Oct.  1  and  16,  1916 Jan.,  1917,  p.  169. 

Nov.  1  and  16,  and  Dec  1,  1916.  Feb.,  1917,  p.  307. 


New  South  Wales.     Industrial  Gazette  issued  by  the  Department  ol 
Labor  and  Industry.     Sydney. 

July,  1915 Review,  Nov.,  1915,  p.  103. 

Aug.,  1915 Dec,  1915,  p.  98. 

May,  1916 Sept.,  1916,  p.  111. 

June,  1916 Oct.,  1916,  p.  107. 

July,  1916 Nov.,  1916,  p.  149. 

New  South  Wales.     Monthly  Statistical  Bulletin.     Sydney,  1917. 
March,  1917 Review,  July,  1917,  pp.  186,  187. 


New  Zealand.     Journal  of  the  Department  of  Labor.     Wellington. 

Jan.,  Feb.,  Mar.,  Apr.,  1915 Review,  Aug.,  1915,  pp.  75,  76. 

May,  June,  1915 Sept.,  1915,  p.  83. 

July,  1915 Oct.,  1915,  p.  107. 

Aug.,  1915 Nov.,  1915,  p.  103. 

Sept.,  1915 Dec,  1915,  p.  99. 

Oct.,  1915 Jan.,  1916,  p.  87. 

Nov.,  1915 Feb.,  1916,  p.  117. 

Jan.,  1916 April,  1916,  p.  110. 

Feb.,  Mar.,  1916 June,  1916,  p.  132. 

May,  1916 Aug.,  1916,  p.  107. 

June,  1916 Sept.,  1916,  p.  111. 

Aug.,  1916 Nov.,  1916,  p.  149. 

April,  1917 July,  1917,  p.  187. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY.  195 

Periodicals — Continued. 

Norway.     Sociale  Meddelelser   utgit   av   Socialavdelingen    under    De- 
partementet  for  Sociale  Saker,  Handel,  Industri  og  Fisheri,  Christiania. 

No.  2,  3,  1915 Review,  Sept.,  1915,  p.  83. 

No.  6,  1915 April,  1916,  p.  110. 

No.  1,  1916 June,  1916,  p.  132. 

No.  3,  1916 Oct.,  1916,  p.  108. 

No.  4,  1916 Dec,  1916,  p.  139. 

No.  6,  1916 May,  1917,  p.  800. 

Queensland.     Industrial  Gazette.     Brisbane. 

June  10,  1916 Review,  Sept.,  1916,  p.  111. 

July  10,  1916 Oct.,  1916,  p.  108. 

Aug.  10,  1916 Nov.,  1916,  p.  150. 

Spain.     Boletin  del  Instituto  de  Reformas  Sociales,  Publicacion  Men- 
sual.     Madrid. 

Feb.,  Mar.,  Apr.,  May,  1915  . .  .  .Review,  Aug.,  1915,  pp.  76,  77. 

June,  1915 Sept.,  1915,  p.  84. 

July,  1915 Oct.,  1915,  p.  108. 

Aug.,  1915 Nov.,  1915,  p.  103. 

Nov.,  1915 Feb.,  1916,  p.  118. 

Dec,  1915 Mar.,  1916,  p.  106. 

Jan.,  1916 April,  1916,  p.  110. 

May,  1916 Aug.,  1916,  p.  107. 

June,  1916 Sept.,  1916,  p.  111. 

July,  1916 Oct.,  1916,  p.  108. 

Feb.,  March,  1917 June,  1917,  p.  1034. 

Sweden.     Sociala  Meddelanden  utgivna  av  K.  Socialstyrelsen.     Stock- 
holm. 

Nov.  12,  1915 Review,  Mar.,  1916,  pp.  106,  107. 

No.  1,  1916 May,  1916,  p.  103. 

No.  2,  1916 June,  1916,  p.  133. 

No.  5,  1916 Aug.,  1916,  p.  107. 

No.  6,  1916 Sept.,  1916,  p.  111. 

No.  7,  1916 Oct.,  1916,  109. 

No.  8,  1916 Dec,  1916,  p.  140. 

No.  9,  1916 Jan.,  1917,  p.  169. 

No.  10,  1916 Feb.,  1917,  p.  309. 

No.  2,  1917 June,  1917,  p.  1035. 

No.  3,  1917 July,  1917,  p.  192. 

Sweden.  Socialstyrelsen,  Sociala  Meddelanden.  Stockholm. 

No.  1,  2,  3,  4,  1915 Review,  Aug.,  1915,  pp.  77,  78. 

No.  5,  6,  1915 Sept.,  1915,  p.  84. 

No.  8,  1915 Nov.,  1915,  pp.  103,  104. 

No.  10,  1915 Jan.,  1916,  p.  88. 

No.  9,  1915 Dec,  1915,  p.  99. 

No.  11,  1915 Feb.,  1916,  p.  118. 


196  BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

The  Netherlands.     Centraal  Bureau  voor  de  Statistiek,  Maandschrift. 
The  Hague. 

Jan.,  Mar.,  Apr.,  1915 Review,  Aug.,  1915,  p.  78. 

May,  June,  1915 Sept.,  1915,  pp.  82,  83. 

July,  Sept.,  1915 Dec,  1915,  p.  98. 

Oct.,  1915 Jan.,  1916,  pp.  86,  87. 

Nov.,  1915 Feb.,  1916,  p.  117. 

Dec,  1915 March,  1916,  p.  106. 

Jan.,  1916 May,  1916,  p.  102. 

Feb.,  1916 June,  1916,  p.  131. 

March,  April,  1916 July,  1916,  pp.  166,  167. 

June,  1916 Sept.,  1916,  p.  110. 

July  1,  1916 Oct.,  1916,  p.  106. 

Aug.,  1916 Nov.,  1916,  p.  149. 

Sept.,  1916 Dec,  1916,  p.  139. 

Nov.,  1916 Feb.,  1917,  p.  308. 

Dec,  1916 April,  1917,  p.  640. 

Feb.,  1917 June,  1917,  p.  1033. 

Mar.  31,  1917,  Apr.  30,  1917.  .  .  .  July,  1917,  p.  185. 


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